Kashmir’s Climate Crossroads: Hailstorm Havoc, Aviation Scares, and the Urgent Call for Resilience

Kashmir's Climate Crossroads: Hailstorm Havoc, Aviation Scares, and the Urgent Call for Resilience

Hail, Havoc & Hope: How Kashmir Must Prepare for the Next Climate Shock Srinagar 27 May 2025: In May 2025, the Kashmir Valley experienced a series of extreme weather events that underscored the region’s vulnerability to climate change. A severe hailstorm brought temporary relief from an intense heatwave but also caused significant destruction, disrupting daily life, damaging agriculture, and highlighting the need for enhanced disaster preparedness. The Hailstorm’s Immediate Impact On May 21, 2025, a sudden hailstorm struck Srinagar and surrounding areas, leading to widespread disruption: Flight Disruptions: An IndiGo…

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Cloudburst Brings Catastrophe to Ramban: Lives Lost, Homes Destroyed

Cloudburst Brings Catastrophe to Ramban: Lives Lost, Homes Destroyed

Cloudburst Triggers Devastation in Ramban: Lives Lost, Hundreds Rescued, Infrastructure Crippled Rambam 20 April 2025: Ramban district in Jammu and Kashmir was hit by an extreme weather calamity on Saturday as a sudden cloudburst and heavy rainfall wreaked havoc, leaving three dead, displacing hundreds, and bringing life to a standstill. The catastrophic event unleashed landslides, flash floods, and debris flows, blocking roads, demolishing buildings, and tossing vehicles into chaos. The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH44)—a lifeline of connectivity—has been closed indefinitely, further complicating the rescue and relief efforts underway. A Night…

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Earthquake Shakes Kashmir: Tremors Highlight Region’s Seismic Vulnerability

Earthquake Shakes Kashmir: Tremors Highlight Region’s Seismic Vulnerability

5.8 Magnitude Earthquake Jolts the Region: Tremors Felt Strongly in Jammu & Kashmir Srinagar 19 April 2025: A moderate earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale struck Afghanistan on Saturday afternoon, sending ripples of tremors across northern India and Pakistan. In Jammu and Kashmir, the tremors were felt sharply, rattling homes and unsettling residents in Srinagar and other parts of the region. The quake has once again highlighted the seismic vulnerability of Kashmir, a region already prone to earthquakes due to its tectonic location. The Event: Kashmir Shaken The earthquake,…

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From Uttarakhand to Kashmir: Understanding the Himalayan Development Dilemma in Depth

From Uttarakhand to Kashmir: Understanding the Himalayan Development Dilemma in Depth

Reevaluating Himalayan Development Models: Lessons from Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse and Kashmir Challenges By: Javid Amin The collapse of a tunnel in Uttarakhand recently has reverberated as more than just a tragic incident; it’s a poignant call to reconsider the development strategies in the Himalayan region. To grasp the implications fully, it’s imperative to widen the lens beyond Uttarakhand, shedding light on the similar challenges faced by regions like Kashmir. The Himalayas, known for their breathtaking landscapes and ecological significance, are experiencing increased human intervention. The Uttarakhand tunnel collapse is a…

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Dutch scientist warns of strong earthquake in Pakistan

Dutch scientist warns of strong earthquake in Pakistan

The Solar System Geometry Survey (SSGEOS), a Netherlands-based organization known for its seismic predictions, has predicted a major earthquake in Pakistan within 48 hours. The SSGEOS specializes in monitoring fluctuations of electric charge in the atmosphere near sea level, which they claim are indicative of regions where stronger seismic activity might occur, typically within a range of 1 to 9 days. While the organization emphasizes that the regions they mark as potentially affected are approximations, they provide valuable insights into potential earthquake-prone areas. In a recent prediction, the Dutch scientist…

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The Lingering Threat of 2014-Like Floods in Kashmir: Environmental Dangers Looming Large

The Lingering Threat of 2014-Like Floods in Kashmir: Environmental Dangers Looming Large

Rapid urbanization in Kashmir, encroachment of water bodies and adjoining river banks and disappearance of wetlands have disrupted the natural drainage patterns By: Khurshid Ahmed Ganai The recent report of the National Institute of Disaster Management (NIDM) has called for taking more corrective measures to prevent 2014 flood-like disasters. The report has mentioned ‘haphazard developmental activities and infrastructure projects being implemented without sufficient consideration of environmental safety and sustainability.’ Then it has picked ‘mining operations on the flood plains of river Jhelum, construction of railway lines and poorly planned urbanization’…

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