Cold Wave Grips Kashmir as Shopian Records –8.2°C, Snow and Rain Likely Later This Month

Cold Wave Grips Kashmir as Shopian Records –8.2°C, Snow and Rain Likely Later This Month

Cold Wave Grips Kashmir, Shopian Shivers at –8.2°C as Winter Deepens By: Javid Amin | 11 January 2026 Kashmir Slips Deeper Into Winter’s Grip Kashmir is firmly in the grip of deep winter, with a severe cold wave tightening across the Valley during Chillai Kalan, the harshest 40-day phase of winter. Night temperatures have plunged well below freezing in most districts, skies remain largely cloudy, and meteorologists say snow and rain are likely to build up later this month. South Kashmir’s Shopian district recorded the lowest temperature at –8.2°C, making…

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Mehbooba Mufti Slams NSA Ajit Doval’s ‘Revenge for History’ Remark, Warns of Communal Fallout

Mehbooba Mufti Slams NSA Ajit Doval’s ‘Revenge for History’ Remark, Warns of Communal Fallout

Mehbooba Mufti Criticises NSA Ajit Doval’s ‘Revenge for History’ Remark, Warns of Communal Polarisation By: Javid Amin | 11 January 2026 Former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba Mufti on Friday strongly criticised National Security Adviser Ajit Doval over his recent reference to “revenge for history,” warning that such rhetoric from a senior constitutional functionary could have dangerous consequences for India’s social cohesion. Mufti described the remark as a “dog whistle” that normalises communal hatred and risks inciting vulnerable sections of society against minorities.…

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Winter Writes in Sub-Zero Ink as Chillai Kalan Enters Peak Phase in Kashmir

Winter Writes in Sub-Zero Ink as Chillai Kalan Enters Peak Phase in Kashmir

Winter Writes in Sub-Zero Ink as Chillai Kalan Peaks, Shopian Coldest at –8.2°C By: Javid Amin | 10 January 2026 Winter Tightens Its Grip as Chillai Kalan Peaks Winter continues to write its story in sub-zero ink across Kashmir. As Chillai Kalan, the coldest 40-day stretch of winter, entered its peak phase, a biting cold wave gripped the Valley on Saturday, with night temperatures remaining well below freezing across most regions, despite marginal overnight relief in a few areas. Clear skies and dry conditions have intensified radiational cooling, keeping Kashmir…

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Vaishno Devi Medical College Row: An Education Row That Became a Political Flashpoint

Vaishno Devi Medical College Row: NC Blames BJP, Says Jammu Opposed Protests

Vaishno Devi Medical College Row Explained: Timeline, Politics, and What Jammu Really Thinks By: Javid Amin | 10 January 2026 An Education Row That Became a Political Flashpoint: NC blames BJP for student fallout, says Jammu opposed protests The controversy surrounding the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME), Katra, has escalated into a major political flashpoint in Jammu and Kashmir, with the National Conference (NC) accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of jeopardising the future of aspiring doctors after the National Medical Commission (NMC) withdrew permission for…

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Winter Exercise Guide: 9 Safe and Effective Workouts to Boost Bone Strength and Flexibility

Winter Exercise Guide: 9 Safe & Effective Workouts to Strengthen Bones and Improve Flexibility | Orthopaedic Surgeon Tips

Winter Exercise Guide: 9 Safe & Effective Workouts to Improve Bone Strength and Flexibility By: Javid Amin | 09 January 2026 How Staying Active in Cold Weather Protects Your Bones, Joints, and Overall Health Why Winter Fitness Is Crucial for Bone and Joint Health Winter often brings a noticeable slowdown in physical activity. Shorter days, colder temperatures, and reduced motivation push many people toward a more sedentary lifestyle. While this seasonal shift feels natural, it can quietly impact bone strength, joint mobility, muscle mass, and overall physical resilience. One of…

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Winter Snowfall Crucial for Kashmir’s Agriculture and Water Security, Warn Experts

Winter Snowfall Crucial for Kashmir’s Agriculture and Water Security, Warn Experts

Winter Snowfall Crucial for Kashmir’s Agriculture, Water Security and Economy: Experts Warn By: Javid Amin | 09 January 2026 Winter Snowfall Is the Lifeline of Kashmir, Experts Say Kashmir’s agriculture, horticulture, and water security are inseparably linked to winter snowfall, and any prolonged dry spell could trigger a cascading crisis across the Valley’s economy and ecology, experts have warned. As Kashmir witnesses increasingly erratic winters, scientists, hydrologists, and agricultural specialists caution that declining snowfall is no longer just a seasonal concern but a structural threat to food production, drinking water…

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Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Barred From Friday Prayers for Third Consecutive Week at Srinagar Jama Masjid

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Barred From Friday Prayers for Third Consecutive Week at Srinagar Jama Masjid

Mirwaiz Umar Farooq Says He Was Barred From Friday Prayers for Third Week at Srinagar’s Jama Masjid By: Javid Amin | 09 January 2026 Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, Kashmir’s chief cleric, on Friday said he was prevented for the third consecutive week from leading Friday prayers at Srinagar’s historic Jama Masjid, alleging that he was placed under house detention by authorities. According to the Mirwaiz, police vehicles and personnel were stationed outside his residence, restricting his movement and preventing him from reaching the mosque. What the Mirwaiz Has Claimed In a…

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Jammu Vs Kashmir: Decoding 50 Years of Uneven Development, Jobs, and Reservations in J&K

Jammu vs Kashmir: Decoding 50 Years of Uneven Development, Jobs, and Reservations in J&K

Jammu Vs Kashmir: Who Got What in 50 Years? A Comparative Audit of Development, Jobs, and Reservations By: Javid Amin : 09 January 2026 Unpacking the Divide in a Shared Land For more than half a century, Jammu and Kashmir—now a Union Territory—has been a tale of two regions bound by maps but divided by experiences. On one side, Jammu’s steady progress paints a picture of reliability and growth; on the other, Kashmir’s story is one of interruptions and unfulfilled potential. This isn’t just about numbers on a spreadsheet; it’s…

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Omar Abdullah Seeks Accountability in SMVDIME Failure as BJP Defends Closure, Rejects J&K Division Talk

Omar Abdullah Seeks Accountability in SMVDIME Failure as BJP Defends Closure, Rejects J&K Division Talk

Omar Abdullah Seeks Accountability for SMVDIME Failure as BJP Defends Closure and Rejects Division Rumours By: Javid Amin | 08 January 2026 The controversy surrounding the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence (SMVDIME) has taken a sharper political turn, with former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah calling for clear accountability over the institute’s failure to meet mandatory regulatory standards, even as the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) defended the National Medical Commission’s (NMC) decision to withdraw MBBS recognition and firmly rejected speculation about any division of Jammu…

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Chillai Kalan 2026: Dry Spell Deepens in Kashmir as Snow Eludes Plains

Chillai Kalan 2026: Dry Spell Raises Concerns as Kashmir Sees No Major Snowfall With 21 Days Left

Chillai Kalan 2026: Dry Spell Raises Concerns as Kashmir Sees No Major Snowfall With 21 Days Left By: Javid Amin | 08 January 2026 Chillai Kalan Tightens Grip, but Snow Remains Elusive Kashmir is deep into Chillai Kalan, the harshest 40-day winter stretch, yet an unusual feature defines this year’s cold spell — intense freezing without widespread snowfall in the plains. With 21 days still remaining before Chillai Kalan ends on January 30, 2026, the Valley has crossed the halfway mark under a persistent dry spell. While higher reaches have…

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