Kargil, Jan 20: Chairman/Chief Executive Councillor, LAHDC, Kargil, Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon chaired a review meeting to discuss the preparations to mitigate the possible drought-like situation in the district.

Executive Councillor, Social Welfare, Aga Syed Mujtaba, Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC, Kargil, Shrikant Suse, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Ghulam Mohi-ud-In Wani, Superintending Engineer, PHE/I&FC Kargil, Superintending Engineer, PW (R&B) Kargil, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Kargil, Project Officer Wage (ACD) Kargil, Chief Planning Officer (CPO), Executive Engineers of Mechanical Division, PHE, I&FC and REW, besides representative and Heads of Horticulture, Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Sheep Husbandry, Soil Conservation and Command Area and concerned departments were present during the meeting.

During the meeting, the CEC said the meeting was aimed at gathering suggestions and formulating strategies to address the potential drought-like situation in the upcoming summer, taking into account the absence of snow during the winter.

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The CEC emphasized that the action plan prioritizes ensuring access to drinking water for the human population, addressing the needs of livestock, and implementing measures to mitigate the impact on plantations.

The meeting discussed possible strategies and action plan from the concerned departments. The HODs of various departments proposed their action plan and requirement to deal with the possible drought-like situation.

The concerned officer of PHE Department informed the CEC about the requirement of water tankers, additional manpower, submersible pumps and other logistic facilities for the dissemination of drinking water.

The Irrigation Department informed about the requirement of solar pumps, PVC pipes, gunny bags and other logistics to deal with the situation.

CEC Dr Jaffer asserted on the fact that flowing water through streams needs to be conserved. Further, the Deputy Commissioner directed the Agriculture Department to increase the number of greenhouses for the next financial year.

The CEC reiterated that the Agriculture Department should propagate advisory through media about the cultivation of water-resistant crops in the upcoming agriculture season.

During the meeting, the CEC took a detailed review of various other departments including, Horticulture, Agriculture, Mechanical Division, Animal Husbandry, RDD, Sheep Husbandry and Command Area pertaining to their action plan and strategy to deal with the drought-like situation.

The CEC directed all concerned departments to submit proposals within two days to mitigate the drought situation so that plans can be submitted to UT Administration. He further directed for individual and collateral efforts from all the departments.