Javed Rana reviews Jammu summer water supply and flood preparedness

JAMMU, JUNE 06: Minister for Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology, Environment and Tribal Affairs Javed Ahmed Rana chaired a comprehensive review meeting today to assess the summer preparedness and flood mitigation measures of the Public Health Engineering and Irrigation & Flood Control departments across the Jammu division.

The minister emphasized proactive planning to guarantee uninterrupted drinking water supply during heatwave conditions and robust flood management ahead of the upcoming monsoon season. He directed officials to ensure all water supply schemes operate at full capacity, complete preventive maintenance, and expedite the completion and commissioning of Jal Jeevan Mission schemes to benefit the public before peak summer stress.

Responsibility will be fixed for any lapses in drinking water availability, with focused interventions planned for vulnerable and water-stressed habitations.The meeting highlighted that Heatwave Response Protocols are already active across all districts, supported by round-the-clock provincial and district control rooms.

Officials have mapped out water vulnerability zones for the period between May and August 2026, deployed a fleet of water tankers for rapid response, and positioned standby pumps and generators at strategic locations. The minister instructed teams to conduct daily monitoring of water source discharge rates and groundwater levels alongside formulating district-wise action plans for rainwater harvesting.

Turning to flood preparedness, Rana reviewed mitigation measures in vulnerable areas, emphasizing structural and non-structural interventions, technology-driven early warning systems, and close inter-agency coordination.

He further directed the swift execution of projects under the SASCI Disaster Programme to restore and strengthen flood protection infrastructure at critical locations affected by previous flood events.