KUPWARA(JKNS): Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kupwara today chaired a high-level review meeting with civil administration, police, and line departments to assess winter preparedness and finalize contingency measures across the district. The DC undertook a thorough appraisal of essential supplies and utility arrangements, focusing on power, drinking water, firewood, food grains, healthcare readiness, and public transport, with special emphasis on snowbound border zones including Machil, Keran, and Karnah.
Issuing directions on connectivity and healthcare, the DC instructed R&B and MED to ensure the mechanical fitness and trial runs of all snow-clearing machinery for immediate deployment during snowfall. The Health Department was directed to set up a 24×7 Medical Control Room, conduct advance medical screening camps in remote border belts, and ensure adequate buffer stocks of life-saving medicines. Authorities were also instructed to fast-track the construction of helipads at GMC Kupwara, Jumgand, and other isolated areas to facilitate emergency medical evacuations.
Emphasizing public safety and utility maintenance, the DC directed the Jal Shakti Department to arrange additional water tankers for frozen zones, alongside ensuring uninterrupted power supply, ration dumping, and firewood availability. Tehsildars were tasked with conducting immediate fire-safety and vulnerability checks, operationalizing designated shelter homes under dedicated Nodal Officers, and executing emergency mock drills. All departments were further mandated to submit prioritized, time-bound action plans to ensure prompt response during harsh weather events.
The meeting was attended by ADC Handwara, ADC Kupwara, ACR Kupwara, SDM Lolab, SDM Karnah, ACD, ACP, Executive Engineers of R&B and PHE, representatives from District Police Kupwara and Handwara, and Tehsildars.(JKNS)