Towseef Hamdani

Kupwara, Nov 13 (KNS): With winter approaching, the Mechanical Department in Kupwara has stepped up preparations to deal with snowfall and ensure road connectivity across the district, particularly in remote and snow-bound areas.

Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) Mechanical, Bilal, said the department has kept its machinery and manpower ready to carry out snow-clearance operations and respond to emergencies during heavy snowfall.

Speaking to Kashmir News Service (KNS), Bilal said the department has a fleet of 10 Snow Cats, 10 Snow Ploughs, one high-tech Unimog machine, one Backhoe Loader and one Dozer available for winter operations.

He said the machinery would be deployed according to requirements to ensure timely clearance of roads and minimise disruption to public movement during snowfall.

"We are fully prepared to deal with snowfall-related challenges. Adequate machinery and manpower are available to ensure timely snow clearance, particularly in areas that receive heavy snowfall," Bilal said.

He said special attention would be given to vulnerable and hard-to-reach areas where heavy snowfall often disrupts road connectivity and creates difficulties for residents.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

The official said the department is prepared to respond promptly to emergencies and restore road connectivity wherever snowfall affects normal movement.

Meanwhile, the District Administration Kupwara has also strengthened its winter preparedness measures and activated an emergency response mechanism to deal with weather-related disruptions.

The administration has shared emergency contact numbers with the public to facilitate assistance during heavy snowfall, rainfall and interruptions in essential services.

Officials said coordination between the Mechanical Department and the district administration would remain crucial to ensuring timely snow clearance, maintaining essential road connectivity and addressing public grievances during the winter months.

The preparations are aimed at reducing inconvenience to residents, particularly those living in remote and higher-altitude areas that frequently face connectivity problems during winter. (KNS)