Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 6: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology, Environment and Tribal Affairs, Javed Ahmed Rana, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the summer preparedness of the Public Health Engineering (PHE) and Irrigation & Flood Control (I&FC) departments across the Jammu division.
He underscored the need for proactive planning to ensure uninterrupted water supply and robust flood management in the run-up to the monsoon season.
While reviewing the measures being taken to combat water stress during the upcoming peak summer months, Javed Rana directed the concerned officers to ensure all water supply schemes are functional at full capacity and that preventive maintenance is completed well in advance. He stressed that no lapse in drinking water availability would be tolerated and responsibility will be fixed to ensure uninterrupted services.
The Minister directed the officers to ensure a prompt and proactive response to the emerging water stress situations, with focused interventions in vulnerable habitations. He stressed that all efforts should be geared up towards reducing the number of water-stressed areas and ensuring uninterrupted drinking water supply during heatwave conditions.
The Minister also stressed the need to expedite work on JJM schemes nearing completion. He directed the officers to ensure their timely commissioning before the onset of the peak summer season so that the benefits reach the people without delay.
Javed Rana further directed the officers to formulate a comprehensive district-wise action plan for rainwater harvesting and sustainable groundwater recharge, with a focus on innovative and locally suitable interventions.
During the meeting, the Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti (I&FC) Jammu, presented a PPT apprising of the works carried out, so far, by the department. He also highlighted the future plans of the department besides the contingency plan devised for the eventuality.
The Minister was informed that Heatwave Response Protocols have been activated across all districts, with Control Rooms established at both Provincial and District level to ensure round-the-clock emergency response. Besides, district-wise Water Vulnerability Maps have been prepared, identifying villages and habitations at risk of water stress between May and August 2026, with prioritised interventions planned for high-risk zones.
Regarding flood preparedness, the Minister reviewed the status of flood mitigation and preparedness measures being undertaken across vulnerable areas. He stressed the need for proactive planning to minimise the risks during the ensuing monsoon season. He directed the officers to adopt both structural and non-structural measures to remain fully prepared for any eventuality and ensure effective coordination for timely response and protection of lives and property.
He underscored the importance of proactive planning, technology-driven early warning systems and robust inter-agency coordination. He stressed that preparedness should remain at the core of disaster management efforts, particularly in view of the increased vulnerability to floods and other weather-related calamities during the monsoon season.
The meeting was attended by senior officers of the Jal Shakti Department, including Superintending Engineers of Hydraulic Circles Jammu, Kathua and Udhampur besides Executive Engineers of Flood Control Divisions Jammu, Akhnoor, Samba and Kathua.
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