Cloudburst: Admin reviews Kailash Yatra arrangements, weather preparedness

Doda, Aug 17: The district administration Doda, under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh, Sunday conducted a Google Meet to review arrangements for the upcoming Kailash Yatra and to assess the prevailing weather situation.As per a statement issued here, the Deputy Commissioner joined the meeting virtually from his office and issued directions to ensure the smooth and safe conduct of the yatra, scheduled to commence from Bhaderwah on August 20. The review was convened following the recent cloudburst at Padder’s Chisoti village, which underscored the urgent need for disaster preparedness and real-time departmental coordination. The meeting was attended by Additional Commissioner Revenue Doda, ASP Bhaderwah, Tehsildars of Bhaderwah and Bhalla, SDPO Bhaderwah, BDO Bhaderwah and representatives from Police, CRPF, Forest Department and other line departments. The Deputy Commissioner stressed close coordination among civil and security agencies, particularly in view of unpredictable weather, to ensure pilgrim safety. Representatives from Kailash Sewa Sang Trust, Kailash Langer Ganthak Ramtund, Chobia Langer Hayan Rish Dal, Ashapati Kailash Sewa Smiti, Vasuki Sewa Sang Chobia, Kailash Dal Development Committee and J&K Dharmarth Trust also participated. The Deputy Commissioner acknowledged their role in providing langar facilities, logistics and voluntary services.The meeting discussed disaster preparedness, medical aid, traffic and crowd management, accommodation and setting up control rooms along the route. The Deputy Commissioner directed departments to stay on high alert, ensure real-time weather monitoring and deploy rescue teams at vulnerable points. He urged all stakeholders to work in close coordination so that the yatra is conducted safely, peacefully and in an environmentally responsible manner.He further directed that the Kailash Yatra must strictly follow the traditional route. He instructed that no langar sheds be set up near Nallas or large drains and instead be established only at safe locations to avoid risks from natural disasters. He informed that he had already taken up the matter with the Deputy Commissioners of Udhampur and Kathua, who assured that only a limited number of yatris will be allowed from their districts, considering route capacity, safety and weather challenges.