Jammu & Kashmir News
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Reviews Summer Preparedness for Jammu Division Jammu, 29 April 2025: The Honourable Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah, today emphasised the critical importance of robust inter-departmental coordination to ensure the seamless provision of essential services and the establishment of a prompt response mechanism throughout the forthcoming summer season across Jammu Division. Chairing a high-level review meeting, the Chief Minister evaluated the readiness of various departments to address potential challenges anticipated during the warmer months. Present at the meeting, both in person and virtually, were Advisor to the Chief Minister Mr Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Mr Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary Education Mr Shantmanu, Additional Chief Secretary Jal Shakti Mr Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Mr Dheeraj Gupta, Administrative Secretaries of several departments, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Managing Director JPDCL, Commissioner JMC, Deputy Commissioners of all districts within the division, as well as representatives from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and other concerned departments. The Chief Minister undertook a comprehensive, department-wise review of summer preparedness, covering key sectors such as Jal Shakti (including Public Health Engineering, Irrigation, and Flood Control), Health and Medical Education, Power Development Department, Public Works (R&B), Fire and Emergency Services, Forests, Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. (JPDCL), Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC), among others. Underscoring the need to mitigate public discomfort during periods of extreme heat, Mr Abdullah stated: “Coordination between all line departments is vital to ensure uninterrupted essential services to citizens during summer months.” He further highlighted the necessity of an agile response system to tackle rising temperatures and potential challenges such as heatwaves, water shortages, or power outages. “Response time to any kind of exigency should be minimised,” he asserted. Engaging directly with Deputy Commissioners, the Chief Minister reviewed district-level readiness and urged prioritisation of timely and effective responses to climate-related adversities. He stressed the importance of ensuring personnel remain on standby and that all equipment is kept fully operational to guarantee the continuity of essential services. “Preparedness is not just about having systems in place but ensuring that those systems work seamlessly when put to the test,” Mr Abdullah remarked, adding that readiness must be “proactive rather than reactive.” While commending field-level officers for their anticipatory planning, the Chief Minister urged them to maintain a constant state of vigilance and to guarantee that public grievance redressal mechanisms remain accessible and effective throughout emergencies. The Divisional Commissioner of Jammu delivered a detailed presentation on the measures being implemented ahead of the summer, placing particular focus on the availability of potable water, power supply stability, and medical emergency response strategies. The meeting was apprised that forest fire mitigation efforts have prioritised high-risk districts such as Nowshera, Jammu, and Reasi, with 175 control rooms established and awareness campaigns underway. Preparedness for water supply challenges includes vulnerability mapping, maintenance of infrastructure, and the deployment of water tankers. Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaigns are also being conducted to raise public awareness about the effects of heatwaves. Regarding electricity supply, it was informed that the power infrastructure is being fortified through transformer upgrades, tree branch pruning, and the activation of emergency response teams. The Health Department has stocked essential medical supplies, operationalised dedicated Heat Stroke Rooms, and mandated daily reporting on heat-related illnesses. The Divisional Commissioner further informed the gathering that schools in the summer zone shall adhere to revised timings effective 1 May, with the school bag policy being enforced. Irrigation canals have been desilted, and flood control rooms are operational, with contingency plans formulated for vulnerable districts. The JMC has prepared monsoon rescue units, upgraded drainage infrastructure, and deployed water sprinklers and cooling units to alleviate the impact of heatwaves. Moreover, it was stated that the BRO and PMGSY have mapped landslide- and flood-prone zones, ensuring that machinery is pre-positioned for immediate deployment. The Chief Minister directed all departments to activate control rooms, maintain buffer stocks of critical supplies, and deploy rapid response teams in high-risk areas. He also instructed that a sufficient number of water tankers be deployed in regions susceptible to shortages. Additionally, the Chief Minister directed the Additional Chief Secretary of Jal Shakti to equip all water tankers with GPS tracking devices to ensure accountability and enhance operational oversight. Mr Abdullah further called for the timely maintenance of key transport arteries, particularly the Srinagar–Jammu National Highway, Mughal Road, and other strategically vital routes. |
