JAMMU, FEBRUARY 11 (KNO) : Minister for Disaster Management, Relief Rehabilitation & Reconstruction, Javaid Mustafa Mir, has asked the Divisional and District Disaster Management Authorities to be in a state of readiness, in view of the forecast of moderate to heavy snowfall issued by the Meteorological Department.
The Minister directed both Divisional Commissioners to ensure that necessary measures, including men and machinery, be put in place, to ensure minimum disruption of services.
He also instructed that the movement of vehicles on vulnerable roads, should be restricted, based on the avalanche warnings and adverse weather reports, as a precautionary measure. The Minister, who is personally monitoring the situation, issued an advisory for the general public to take adequate precautionary measures in case of heavy snowfall and to drive vehicles with utmost care.
He directed the Chief Engineer, Mechanical Engineering Department to preposition their snow clearance machines and not to wait for accumulation of snowfall. He directed Commissioner SMC and Chief Engineer Power Development Department to keep their staff in readiness.
Meanwhile, high danger avalanche warning has been issued by SASE for Tangmarg-Gulmarg sector, Medium danger for Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, Kupwara-Chowkibal-Tangdhar pass, Furkian- Z Gali, Bandipora-Kanzalwan-Gurez sector. And low to medium danger for higher reaches of other parts of the State. People living in these areas have been advised to avoid these routes and avalanche prone areas.(KNO)