Month: January 2021

No let-up in chill across Kashmir Valley, Gulmarg freezes at -12 °C

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The meteorological department has predicted a two-day fresh snowfall in higher reaches from 31st January. Deputy Director MeT Mukhtar Ahmad told Kashmir Post that they are expecting light snowfall in mountains on 31st January and it will be followed by another spell of light to moderate snowfall from 2-3 February. “Western disturbances shall likely affect Jammu and Kashmir from 31st January-1st February, which may cause light snowfall on higher reaches. However, it would not have any major effect on plains,” he said. Mukhtar said this would be followed by another…

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Farmers hoist flags at Red Fort, intensifying clashes with police

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Thousands of protesting farmers who stormed into Delhi with their tractor rally, poured into the Red Fort complex by afternoon, as violence continued in parts of the city. Visuals from the spot showed them climbing a flagpole at the ramparts of the iconic Mughal fort, from where the Prime Minister addresses the nation on Independence Day. As tractors take over the Ram Leela Maidan outside the fort — the original site where they had planned their protest — farmers are heard saying that they will not leave. Violence broke out…

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MeT predicts dry weather till Jan 31, Srinagar shivers at – 5.2°C Pahalgam coldest at -12°C

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Highway opens for stranded vehicles; Air traffic resumes at Srinagar Airport The Meteorological Department today predicted “mainly dry” weather in Jammu and Kashmir till January 31. Kashmir received a moderate to heavy snowfall on Saturday, cutting off the Valley from the outside world, as both surface and air traffic were disrupted. However, the 270-kilometre Srinagar-Jammu National highway was reopened for stranded traffic today, while the air traffic resumed at the Srinagar International highway after having remained suspended on Saturday.Meanwhile, in the latest weather bulletin, Director MeT, Sonam Lotus said that…

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Kashmir fast turning into drug addiction hotspot

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Data available on drug abuse in Kashmir is ‘tip of a very large iceberg, say experts By – Haroon Reshi Drug menace is fast emerging as the most daunting challenge, for the society and for the administrative apparatus, to be tackled in Kashmir as it continues to spread like wild fire with each passing day. Even if there is no statistical data available to show the exact number of drug addicts in the Valley, there is, however, enough obtainable and circumstantial evidence to confirm the huge surge in it over…

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Kashmir’s New Bureaucracy; Fewer locals, more officers from outside

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Kashmir was on the boil in August 2008. Protests had erupted over the transfer of 99 acres of forest land to the Amarnath Shrine Board, which managed a popular Hindu pilgrimage site in the Valley. In response, groups in Jammu had blocked the highway to Kashmir, choking off supplies to the region. To protest the economic blockade, on August 11, over two lakh people marched through North Kashmir’s Baramulla district towards the Line of Control with Pakistan. The security forces opened fire on them, killing five protesters, including a leader…

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Harissa, Kangri, and Pheran; This is winter in Kashmir

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At 7.30 am on a snowy December day, Peer Murtaza and two friends join the crowd at Dilshad Restaurant to relish a plate of harisa, a traditional Kashmiri winter breakfast dish. Most tables are taken but the trio find some space, squeeze in and order three plates of the thick meat stew. Kashmir’s long chill stretches from the onset of autumn in September all the way to April, and at their lowest, temperatures can dip to minus 4 degrees Celsius. Every morning during these months, the Dilshad Restaurant — a…

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‘Pheran’ the traditional gown with new designs in great demand during winters in Kashmir

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With newer designs, ‘Pheran’, the traditional knee-length robe that is part of the unique identity of Kashmiri culture continues to be in great demand, especially during bone-chilling winters. Despite the availability of many modern and stylish clothes in the market, these pherans are most in demand during the 40 day period ‘Chillai Kalan’, which is known to be the coldest period of Kashmir winter. Kashmiris have been using woolen fabric to stitch up pherans but newer designs using Chinese and Korean fabrics are available in local markets especially in Srinagar.…

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Zojila Tunnel: FO attached after more than 300 trees chopped without permission

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A day after Hyderabad-based major infrastructure company, Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited which is responsible for the construction of the 14.5-kilometre Zojila Tunnel, chopped down over 300 ‘trees’ without seeking permission from Forest Department, the Department attached Forest Officer Sonmarg to DFO’s office Ganderbal for not informing the higher-ups. Quoting sources, news agency KNT reported that the Forest Officer Sonmarg, Abdul Gani was attached to the office of Divisional Forest Officer Ganderbal while the additional charge was given to Forest Officer Gund Habibullah. Earlier on January 21, the company had…

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High-Speed Internet Ban extended till Feb 6, Restrictions challenged in SC for the third time post abrogation of Article 370

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High-speed mobile data services will continue only in the districts of Ganderbal and Udhampur. Petition in the Supreme Court states that Doctors in Jammu & Kashmir have reported that they are unable to download the latest studies, protocols, manuals, and advisories due to slow internet speed. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has extended the ban on high-speed mobile data services across the Union Territory, except Ganderbal and Udhampur, till February 6. High-speed mobile data services will continue in the districts of Ganderbal and Udhampur, while in other districts, the internet…

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Air, Surface traffic halted due to heavy Snowfall

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The Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which runs through south Kashmir’s Qazigund area, was also closed for traffic. A fresh spell of snowfall on Saturday cut off Kashmir valley from the rest of the country, as both air and surface traffic were affected. An official said that Kashmir-bound flights were canceled because the runway of the Srinagar airport was not feasible for landing as well as take-off due to snow accumulation. “The disruption in the air traffic is expected if the snowfall continues. Any final decision on cancellation of flights will be…

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