Srinagar, Nov 13 (KNS): Kashmir faces an average electricity shortfall of around 400 megawatts during winter, with demand rising sharply during peak hours, officials informed a high-level meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Friday to review preparations for snowfall and possible disruption of essential services across the Valley.

The meeting was informed that average winter electricity demand in Kashmir stands at around 1,700 MW against an average supply of 1,300 MW, while peak demand can reach 2,400 MW.

Reviewing the power situation, Garg directed Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) to strictly follow scheduled power curtailment timings, ensure timely repairs of damaged transformers and strengthen workshop capacity wherever required.

Officials informed the meeting that adequate buffer stocks of transformers were available in all districts and nearly 80 percent of branch-cutting work had been completed. The Divisional Commissioner directed the department to complete the remaining work at the earliest.

With several remote areas facing the possibility of prolonged road closures during heavy snowfall, Garg directed the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department to complete advance stocking of LPG, petroleum products, rice and wheat in Gurez, Karnah, Machil, Keran and other snowbound areas within one week.

He said adequate supplies must be ensured before snowfall disrupts road connectivity to prevent shortages of essential commodities.

Taking note of delays in the commencement of winter air sorties in Bandipora and Kupwara, the Divisional Commissioner directed the Civil Aviation Department to make the service operational by December 1 to facilitate emergency transportation from inaccessible areas.

The meeting also reviewed snow clearance arrangements across highways, major roads, streets and interior lanes. Garg directed the Mechanical Engineering Department, Roads and Buildings Department, PMGSY, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Urban Local Bodies and Border Roads Organisation to clearly define their areas of responsibility to avoid confusion during snowfall.

He instructed the agencies to make optimal use of available machinery and manpower and complete pending stage contracts to ensure timely snow clearance.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

On healthcare preparedness, the Divisional Commissioner directed the Health Department to identify expectant mothers and critically ill patients in remote and vulnerable areas in advance so that they could be shifted to safer locations or temporary shelters wherever necessary before heavy snowfall.

He also directed the National Health Mission to provide four-wheel-drive ambulances to the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir for distribution among districts, in addition to ambulances available under the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra arrangements.

The meeting reviewed heating facilities in hospitals, availability of essential medicines and deployment of medical personnel in far-flung areas.

Garg also directed the Jal Shakti Department to ensure uninterrupted functioning of drinking water supply schemes, including lift water supply systems, and arrange water tankers wherever required.

The Forest Department was asked to maintain adequate firewood stocks at depots across the Valley.

Regarding possible disruptions to flight operations at Srinagar Airport, the Divisional Commissioner directed airport authorities to provide timely information to passengers about schedule changes caused by adverse weather conditions.

In Srinagar city, the Municipal Corporation was directed to identify areas vulnerable to waterlogging and keep dewatering pumps ready for deployment.

Garg further instructed district administrations and concerned departments to maintain round-the-clock control rooms, including the Integrated Command and Control Centre, and designate nodal officers for coordination during emergencies.

He stressed timely communication of weather and avalanche warnings to residents, particularly those living in vulnerable areas.

The Divisional Commissioner also directed departments to maintain records of public complaints, including the time an issue was reported and the time taken to resolve it, to ensure accountability during winter emergencies.

Deputy Commissioners from across Kashmir briefed the meeting about district-level preparations and issues requiring immediate attention.

Senior officials from KPDCL, R&B, MED, PMGSY, BRO, NHAI, Health, Jal Shakti, FCS&CA, Police, Traffic and other departments attended the meeting. (KNS)