CM Omar Abdullah Reviews Summer Preparedness Across Jammu Division, Emphasises Proactive Response and Inter-Departmental Coordination
Jammu, April 29: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday chaired a high-level review meeting to assess the readiness of various departments for the upcoming summer season in the Jammu division. He emphasised the need for strong inter-departmental coordination to ensure uninterrupted essential services and an effective, rapid response mechanism during heatwave conditions.
The meeting saw the participation of Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretaries Shantmanu (Education) and Shaleen Kabra (Jal Shakti), ACS to CM Dheeraj Gupta, Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Deputy Commissioners from all districts, and senior officials from departments including JPDCL, JMC, BRO, Health, and Public Works. The session was held both in person and virtually.
Reviewing department-wise preparedness, the Chief Minister directed special attention to be paid to sectors like Jal Shakti, Health & Medical Education, Power Development, Fire & Emergency Services, and Public Works. He underlined the urgency of a coordinated approach to tackle potential crises such as heatwaves, water scarcity, and power outages.
“Coordination between line departments is essential to reduce public inconvenience during summer,” Omar Abdullah said, stressing that preparedness should be proactive rather than reactive. He urged Deputy Commissioners to ensure quick response mechanisms, keep personnel on standby, and maintain machinery in working order.
He further instructed departments to activate control rooms, stock essential supplies, and deploy quick response teams in vulnerable areas. Specific directives included installing GPS tracking systems on water tankers for better monitoring and deploying additional tankers to areas prone to shortages.
The Divisional Commissioner Jammu presented a detailed plan focusing on drinking water availability, power supply, and emergency healthcare. It was noted that high-risk districts for forest fires like Jammu, Nowshera, and Reasi have been prioritised, with 175 control rooms operational and public awareness campaigns underway.
Power infrastructure is being bolstered with transformer upgrades, emergency teams on standby, and preventive pruning of trees near supply lines. The Health Department has readied supplies, activated Heat Stroke Rooms, and mandated daily heat illness reporting.
School timings in the summer zone will be revised from May 1, and the school bag policy is being enforced. Irrigation canals have been desilted, flood control rooms activated, and BRO and PMGSY have mapped vulnerable areas, ensuring equipment is ready for emergency deployment.
JMC has prepared monsoon rescue teams, upgraded drainage infrastructure, and deployed water sprinklers and coolers for public relief during extreme heat.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah concluded the meeting by reiterating that preparedness must translate into efficient execution during real-time challenges. He directed all departments to maintain a constant state of readiness to protect public welfare throughout the summer months.
