Bandipora, Feb 01 (KNS): In view of the inclement weather forecast, Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Dr Owais Ahmad Monday convened a meeting to review the winter preparedness and to deal with any kind of situation.

  The meeting discussed action plans prepared by the concerned departments to prevent interruption to services in case of snowfall. The DC, while hailing their efforts during the last snowfall in the district, asked the concerned departments to ensure even faster response to the inclement weather forecast for the coming days.

The DC directed for ensuring that snow clearance machines are positioned at all critical spots and that these are pressed into service as soon as snow starts to accumulate. He stressed on prioritizing snow-clearance from roads leading to all important installations across the district including Hospitals.

    Dr Owais Ahmad said all the men and machinery have been put on high alert in the district since last week and the snow clearance operations will be started soon after the snow starts accumulating on roads to ensure all major roads are cleared on war footing.

   He said the Mechanical Engineer Department has put Snow Cutter machines on standby at different locations of the district so that they can be pressed into service at earliest besides machinery of various Municipalities. 

          During the meeting also discussed the situation arisen due to recent sub-zero temperature that lead to freezing of pipelines and subsequent damage at various spots. He directed the officers to take immediate measures to bypass the freezing pipes by installing plastic pipes for time being so that the people don’t suffer during these tough weather conditions.  

He also directed the Revenue officers to assess the damages caused during the recent snowfall in their respective areas and inform the district administration for further action. 

 The meeting was informed that adequate stock of ration and LPG has been stocked in the district including in Gurez valley.

It was given out that the administration has set up a control room in the Mini Secretariat Bandipora and at Sub-Division level and urged the people to contact on phone numbers already notified by the administration.(KNS)