‘Public Safety our Top Priority’: DC Bandipora Inspects Low-Lying Areas After Heavy Rainfall
Bandipora, April 22: The Deputy Commissioner Bandipora, Manzoor Ahmad Qadri, on Tuesday conducted an extensive visit to various low-lying areas of Hajin and sumbal including main town Hajin, Banyari, Madwan, Bakshibal, Paribal, Wangipora sumbal and adjoining areas. The visit was aimed at assessing the post-rainfall situation and reviewing the ongoing repair works on the Jhelum embankments.
During the field visit, the Deputy Commissioner interacted with local residents and took stock of the situation and the preventive measures being undertaken by the concerned departments.
Speaking on the occasion, Deputy Commissioner M.A.Qadri said that Our primary objective is to ensure the safety and well-being of the people living in low-lying areas.
He said, recent rainfall highlighted certain vulnerable spots along the Jhelum embankments, and administration is committed to addressing these issues on priority.
M.A.Qadri said that the Department of Irrigation and Flood Control has already initiated repair works, and all necessary steps are being taken to strengthen the embankments to prevent any potential threat to nearby habitations beisdes genuine concerns raised by locals are being taken seriously and will be taken up in coordination with relevant departments.
The Deputy Commissioner also issued instructions to the concerned departments to identify and remove all encroachments on irrigation and flood control land. He emphasized that such encroachments hinder the free flow of water and pose a significant risk during heavy rainfall.
Interacting with the media, the Deputy Commissioner said that the purpose of the visit was to conduct an on-ground assessment of the post-rainfall conditions and to ensure that all precautionary and restoration measures are being implemented effectively.
Later, the Deputy Commissioner also inspected the irrigation canal at Wangipora, which has been affected due to the ongoing construction of Ring Road Phase II. He instructed the executing agency to speed up the pace of work and ensure the complete restoration of the canal before the onset of the irrigation season to avoid impact on agricultural activities in the area.
Chief Planning Officer Mohammad Maqbool Lone, Tehsildar Hajin, Abdul Wasee Deva, Executive Engineer I&FC Mutayib Bashir along with engineers from the concerned departments, accompanied the Deputy Commissioner during the visit.