A meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) was held on Monday under the chairmanship of Cabinet Secretary Ajit Seth to take stock of the flood-like situation in Jammu and Kashmir and to review the arrangements made or required to be made to deal with the situation.
The meeting was attended by the Secretaries/Sr. Officers of the relevant departments of the Government. The Chief Secretary of Jammu and Kashmir and other officers of the state government participated through video conferencing.
The Chief Secretary gave a brief account of the ground situation indicating that river Jhelum is flowing above danger mark at certain places and as a result, flood alert has been issued by the state government.
He remarked that the state government is geared up to deal with the situation and all the steps have been taken to safeguard life and property from the flood waters. They have adequate sand bags and river bank reinforcement material.
As a precautionary measure, adequate quantities of rice, potable water and medical supplies are being stocked at various locations. There is no shortage of various types of fuel as there is a minimum stock level of all varieties of fuel for 10 days.
The National Highway 1-A between Jammu and Srinagar which is blocked due to landslide is likely to be cleared for vehicular traffic today itself.
On the request of the state government, the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is dispatching eight teams (approximately 400 personnel) along with rescue boats and water pumps to Srinagar to take part in the relief operations.
The Cabinet Secretary reviewed the preparatory arrangements made to handle the flood situation in Jammu and Kashmir and issued necessary directions to all departments of the Centre to provide all possible assistance to tide over the crisis. (ANI)