SHOPIAN, JANUARY 24: In the aftermath of record heavy snowfall ranging 3 to 5 feet in major parts of Shopian, District Administration Shopian, is on its toes and functioning in emergency mode while launching a massive, district-wide snow clearance and essential services restoration operation since the day one of the impact.
All line departments have been activated on a war footing since the intervening night of 22-23 January, with round-the-clock deployment of men and machinery to clear snow from the national highway, district roads, inner village links, hospital access routes, and other vital corridors.
To ensure fast-track restoration, additional snow clearance machinery has been mobilized from adjoining districts, further strengthening the operational capacity. However, full snow clearance may still need more time before the full restoration is achieved despite challenges of momentous snow accumulation across the length and breadth of the district. Almost 80 percent under P1 roads, and more than 50 percent P2 roads cleared till now.
Frontline workers of KPDCL and Jal Shakti are giving their best to restore the services. KPDCL has made significant progress in restoring electricity in major parts of the district. Jal Shakti staff is continuously working to resume the water supplies. Out of 92 Water Supply Schemes, nearly 80% have been affected, mainly because of heavy accumulation of snow at the headworks.
As of now, around 70% of the affected Water Supply Schemes have been restored and normal supply has been resumed in those areas. Restoration of the remaining schemes is taking additional time due to significant challenges, particularly the remotely located and difficult-to-access headworks in snowbound areas.
Despite these constraints, every effort is being made to ensure early restoration, and it is expected that by tomorrow evening, almost all remaining schemes will be restored and regular water supply will be fully normalized across the district.
Deputy Commissioner, Shopian, Shishir Gupta is personally supervising and monitoring the situation, conducting regular reviews, and issuing field-level directions to ensure prompt response and effective coordination. He has toured different areas of Shopian and Keller to monitor the services restoration and snow clearance.
All officers and officials have been directed to remain available in the field until full restoration while district officers, Tehsildars, sector officers, engineering and supervising staff have been directed to provide the on ground support to ensure the easement of traffic especially catering to ferrying of sick and expecting mothers to healthcare institutions and conduct rescue operations. The healthcare institutions are functioning normally with all aid and care being extended to patients.
Despite extremely challenging conditions of snow accumulation on roads, the District Administration Shopian is leaving no stone unturned to safeguard public convenience and safety. Special focus is being laid on emergency services, healthcare access, and vulnerable habitations.
The District Administration appeals to the public to cooperate with field teams and follow official advisories with the assurance that full restoration of services shall be ensured as soon as possible across the district.
