Srinagar, Nov 13: Kashmir faces an average winter electricity shortfall of around 400 MW, with demand rising to 2,400 MW during peak hours, officials informed a high-level meeting chaired by Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg on Friday to review preparations for snowfall and possible disruption of essential services.

The meeting was informed that average winter power demand stands at around 1,700 MW against an average supply of 1,300 MW.
Reviewing the power situation, Garg directed the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) to strictly adhere to scheduled curtailment timings, ensure prompt replacement of damaged transformers and strengthen workshop facilities. Officials said adequate buffer stocks of transformers were available in all districts, while nearly 80 per cent of branch-cutting work had been completed. The remaining work was directed to be completed at the earliest.
To prevent shortages in snowbound areas, the Divisional Commissioner asked the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department to complete advance stocking of LPG, petroleum products, rice and wheat in Gurez, Karnah, Machil, Keran and other remote areas within a week.
He also directed the Civil Aviation Department to operationalise winter air sorties in Bandipora and Kupwara by December 1 to facilitate emergency transportation during prolonged road closures.
Reviewing snow clearance arrangements, Garg directed the Mechanical Engineering Department, Roads and Buildings Department, PMGSY, Srinagar Municipal Corporation, Urban Local Bodies and Border Roads Organisation to clearly demarcate responsibilities and ensure optimal deployment of machinery and manpower. Pending stage contracts were also ordered to be completed promptly.
On healthcare preparedness, he asked the Health Department to identify expectant mothers and critically ill patients in remote areas in advance and facilitate their shifting to safer locations or temporary shelters before heavy snowfall.
The National Health Mission was directed to provide four-wheel-drive ambulances to the Directorate of Health Services Kashmir for distribution among districts. The meeting also reviewed hospital heating arrangements, essential medicine stocks and deployment of medical staff in far-flung areas.
Garg directed the Jal Shakti Department to ensure uninterrupted drinking water supply, including lift water schemes, and arrange tankers wherever necessary. The Forest Department was asked to maintain adequate firewood stocks at depots across the Valley.
Regarding air travel, Srinagar Airport authorities were asked to ensure timely communication with passengers about flight cancellations and schedule changes due to adverse weather.
In Srinagar, the Municipal Corporation was directed to identify waterlogging-prone areas and keep dewatering pumps ready for deployment. The Divisional Commissioner further instructed district