Directs strict monitoring of transformer stocks, improved healthcare mobility, advance dewatering plans; hopes snowfall will clean the air, reduce pollution, revive Kashmir’s winter tourism season
Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Dec 20 : With the first major snowfall of the season expected this weekend, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday reviewed the administration’s preparedness across both divisions.
Chairing a high-level meeting in Srinagar, CM Omar, according to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) directed departments to ensure uninterrupted essential services and pre-emptive deployment of men and machinery in vulnerable areas.
He said that while winter plans are “largely on track,” the real test lies in their on-ground implementation. “Winter preparedness plans are on pace, but the test of any plan is in its execution. This expected spell gives us time to refine our response before the harsher phase of winter sets in,” he said.
The Chief Minister said that while precipitation is likely over the weekend, it may not be as widespread as later in the season offering the administration an opportunity to strengthen coordination between departments and plug gaps in preparedness.
CM Omar during meeting also stressed that the administration’s winter response will be measured on three key parameters road clearance, electricity supply, and drinking water availability. “These three are the ABC of our winter response. Everything else flows from them. People’s access to hospitals, mobility and daily life depend on how efficiently we manage these,” he said.
He directed departments to maintain a pre-emptive approach, ensuring advance deployment of manpower and machinery in high-altitude and snow-prone areas. Reviewing power sector arrangements, the Chief Minister called for strict monitoring of transformer oil stocks and immediate replacement of damaged distribution transformers (DTs), warning that any shortages must be addressed promptly.
“The vehicle that goes to remove a damaged DT must also carry the replacement. The idea of buffer stock is to minimise downtime replace, repair and rotate, not move equipment back and forth unnecessarily,” he told officials.
In the health sector, Omar instructed optimal utilisation of 4×4 ambulances, noting that in many cases ambulances equipped with snow chains would suffice. He directed the Health Department and district administrations to prioritise deployment in snowbound and remote areas where access becomes challenging.
For urban areas, particularly Srinagar, the Chief Minister laid stress on advance placement of mobile dewatering pumps in localities prone to waterlogging, such as Airport Road and MA Road. He also expressed concern over sanitation and passenger facilities at Srinagar Airport during flight disruptions, directing the administration to coordinate with airport authorities for improved cleanliness and basic amenities.
Turning to Jammu division, CM noted that while snow preparedness is largely adequate, several roads temporarily restored after the September–October rains remain vulnerable. He called for heightened vigilance against landslides, especially along NH-44 between Nashri and Udhampur, to prevent prolonged disruptions to inter-regional connectivity.
He said 24×7 control rooms have been activated across all districts to handle weather-related emergencies and that lessons learned from the upcoming spell would be used to refine future response mechanisms.
Top officials, including Divisional Commissioners Anshul Garg Kashmir and Ramesh Kumar Jammu, presented detailed action plans covering snow clearance, stocking of essential supplies, power and water readiness, healthcare access, helicopter services and support measures for vulnerable groups in snowbound regions such as Gurez, Machhil, Karnah, Poonch and Rajouri.
Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javed Dar and Satish Sharma, Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary to CM Dheeraj Gupta, ACS Power Shailendra Kumar, ACS PWD Anil Kumar Singh and heads of key departments including Disaster Management, Health, RDD, Transport and Civil Aviation were present.
All Deputy Commissioners and top police officials, including IGP Kashmir and IGP Traffic also attended the meeting, while several officers joined via video conferencing.
Notably, as the Valley awaits its first major snowfall, the administration hopes the spell will not only ease pollution but also mark the start of Kashmir’s winter tourism season, a vital lifeline for the region’s economy.
Talking to reporters after the review meeting, the Chief Minister said the administration is “eagerly waiting” for snowfall, calling it a much-needed spell to clean the air and revive tourism. “We are waiting for this snowfall—it will clean the air, reduce pollution and kick-start the winter tourism season. All preparations have been made from our side,” he said—(KNO)
