SMC to conduct de-silting of major drains in city
Irfan Tramboo
SRINAGAR, Apr 22: The Divisional Administration Kashmir has directed the Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) Department to conduct an audit of banks of rivers as well as nallahs across Kashmir, particularly in Srinagar city apart from repairing the vulnerable as well as weak river embankments.
The directions have been passed by the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Pandurang K. Pole following a meeting that was earlier held to review the preparedness, and arrangements to combat the flood situation–the minutes of which are lying with Excelsior. In this regard, the I&FC told the meeting that 7 flood-related works have been identified out of which 2 have been tendered out and submitted to the Government.
Pole in this connection directed the concerned department to put up a reminder in this regard, while it was directed that the repair works of vulnerable spots and week embankments shall be audited in respect of all river/ nallah banks in Srinagar City and Kashmir Valley by or before 25.04.2022 by conducting spot visits.
Concerning the de-silting of flood basins and drains, SMC has been directed to complete the mapping of 90 static and 127 mobile dewatering pumps including other machinery, manpower and tentative locations, besides, de-silting of all the major drains shall be done for which the tenders shall be floated.
As per the minutes of the meeting, ULBs have also been directed to take up the de-silting process of the choked drains in towns of Kashmir Valley, while the I&FC has also been told to complete the process of de-silting of flood basins and streams/ Canals in Kashmir Valley within the shortest time.
The Deputy Commissioners across Kashmir Districts have been directed to audit and update resource inventory/equipment on the Indian Disaster Response Network, while they have been directed that interdepartmental Flood control rooms shall be established at all District Headquarters.
The Divisional Commissioner has informed the Deputy Commissioner across Kashmir and SSPs that taking into consideration the inundation level of the September 2014 floods, all the vital installations having the threat of inundation such as Telephone exchange, hospitals, Police Stations, Essential Commodities Godowns etc shall be identified so that at first, same can be shifted to upper floors.
Director SKIMS, Principal GMC, Srinagar have been directed to prepare a plan for shifting vital installation, equipment, and machinery from ground floor at times of flood.
The I&FC has also been directed to ensure adequate procurement/ availability of stocks of flood mitigation resources like geo-bags, filled sandbags while as FCS&CA Department, Kashmir has been directed to immediately get the list of rescue centres from Deputy Commissioners, besides, AD Food concerned shall identify the rooms/accommodations for stocking of ration and other essential commodities.
The officials have directed the SDRF and other associated departments to conduct mock drills in all districts, including the flood warnings, rescue and all other things while they have been also told to conduct major mock drills concerning boats.
They also have been told that Private Boat details shall also be collected by SDRF apart from the boats of various departments such as BSF, CRP, Police, LCMA, water sports, tourism, including the capacity, locations, operation and Phone Nos, Further, the details of small boats (Kishti) shall also be collected,
During the meeting, the PHE has been directed that in case of floods, it shall ensure the availability of clean drinking water to all the rescue centres/shelters while the DHSK has been told to disseminate the information about the waterborne diseases, hazards besides preparing a note in this regard for public awareness, activities availability of Mobile Medical camps and medicines at the designated flood rescue centres/shelters in case of floods in the Valley.
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