Prolonged Dry Spell: Forest fire breaks out at multiple places in Kashmir

Srinagar, Feb 16 (KNO): The massive forest fire erupted at multiple places across the Valley on Sunday while as the experts here have attributed the rise in forest fire incidents to both climatic factors and human negligence.

An official told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that a massive fire broke out in Tral forests.

He said that a forest fire broke out in Pinglish area of Tral area and has spread to other areas as well.

Another official told KNO that forest fire also broke out in Dadoo Marhama area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Officials said that they are making every effort to douse off the flames at an earliest.

A massive forest fire also erupted in Kunan village of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district this evening, prompting officials and emergency teams to rush to the spot.

Locals told KNO that the fire spread rapidly, engulfing vast stretches of forest land and raising concerns among residents residing nearby the area.

“Thick plumes of smoke were visible from a distance,” they said.

Meanwhile, the administration has deployed teams to contain the blaze, while local volunteers have joined efforts to prevent further damage.

“As of now, the extent of the destruction remains unknown,” an official said.

He said that they were assessing the situation and firefighting operations were underway.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, though dry conditions in the forests may have contributed to its spread.

Experts attribute the rise in forest fires to both climatic factors and human negligence.

The ongoing dry spell has left forests more susceptible to fires and many fire incidents have been reported in recent past—(KNO)

JKBOSE Allocates Exam Centers to 22 Previously Denied Students

Srinagar, Feb 16 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) has allocated exam centers to all 22 students of Islamic Global School who were previously denied registration.

A school functionary confirmed to news agency JKNS that JKBOSE has allocated exam centers to all 22 students and were told that they will receive their roll number slips on Monday morning.

Earlier, JKBOSE had refused to register these students for exams. Despite the school approaching the judiciary and parents seeking help from the Chief Minister’s office, the JKBOSE chairman remained reluctant to issue admit cards, even after court orders on Saturday.

However, on Saturday evening, the Education Minister, in a video message, assured that all 22 students would be allowed to sit for exams and stated that appropriate action would be taken against those responsible for jeopardizing their future. (JKNS)

Traffic Advisory for Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) – February 17, 2025

Issued by: Traffic Police Headquarters, J&K, Jammu/Srinagar

The Traffic Police Headquarters, Jammu and Kashmir, has issued an updated advisory regarding vehicular movement on key routes, including the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44), SSG Road, Mughal Road, and other important mountain passes. Commuters are urged to stay informed and plan their travel accordingly.

Current Road Conditions on NH-44:

From 15th February 2025, 1700 hrs to 16th February 2025, 1700 hrs, slow traffic movement was reported on NH-44 due to the following reasons:

• Breakdown of Heavy Motor Vehicles (HMVs)
• Single-lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad, and between Marog and Kishtwari Pather
• Ongoing four-lane construction work

Advisory for Passengers and LMV Operators:

• Daytime Travel Recommended: Passengers and Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) operators are advised to travel during daylight hours, as there is a risk of shooting stones between Ramban and Banihal.
• Avoid Unnecessary Stops: Commuters should avoid unnecessary halts in vulnerable areas, particularly between Ramban and Banihal.

Guidelines for Goods Carriers (HMVs and LMVs):

• Vehicles carrying fresh perishable goods or livestock should follow the advisories issued by the Traffic Police Headquarters.
• Overloading is strictly prohibited—operators must ensure that vehicles are properly loaded and have sufficient fuel for the journey.
• HMVs with only 06 and 10 tyres are allowed to travel via Dhar Road.

Traffic Plan for February 17, 2025:

Subject to fair weather and road conditions, both LMVs and HMVs will be allowed to travel in both directions on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44):

• Jammu to Srinagar
• Srinagar to Jammu

Traffic Control Units (TCU) in Jammu and Srinagar will coordinate with TCU Ramban to monitor real-time road conditions. Commuters are strongly encouraged to check the J&K Traffic Police Twitter handle and Facebook page for updates before starting their journey.

Security Forces Convoy Movement:
If the weather and road conditions permit, Security Forces’ vehicles will also be allowed to travel in both directions on the Jammu-Srinagar NHW.

Status of Other Key Roads:

Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag Road (NH-244):
This road remains closed as per the advisory from the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Kokernag, under reference number SDM/KNG/2024-25/3139-45 dated 16-01-2025.

Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari (SSG) Road:

• One-way traffic is allowed, subject to fair weather and clearance from road maintenance agencies.
• On February 17, 2025, vehicles (LMVs followed by HMVs with up to 06 tyres) will be permitted to travel from Srinagar to Kargil between 10:00 hrs and 15:00 hrs.
• Anti-skid chains are mandatory for vehicles traveling on this route to ensure better traction on icy and slippery roads.
• No vehicle will be allowed to proceed after the cutoff time.

Mughal Road:
The Mughal Road remains closed due to snow accumulation, as per District Magistrate Poonch’s order DMP/JC/7273-92 dated 18-01-2025.

Bhaderwah-Chamba Road:
This road is also closed due to heavy snow accumulation.

Important Advisory for Commuters:

Travelers are urged to confirm road status from Traffic Control Units (TCUs) before planning their journey:

• Jammu: 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732, 103
• Srinagar: 0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091, 103
• Ramban: 9419993745, 1800-180-7043
• Udhampur: 8491928625
• PCR Kishtwar: 9906154100
• PCR Kargil: 9541902330, 9541902331

Travel Precautions:

1. Always verify road conditions with the Traffic Control Units.
2. Ensure your vehicle is in good working condition and carry sufficient fuel.
3. Avoid overloading and follow traffic advisories strictly.
4. Be cautious of landslide-prone and shooting stone areas, especially between Ramban and Banihal.
5. Follow cutoff timings and travel advisories issued by the authorities.

Stay informed, travel safely, and adhere to the guidelines for a smooth and secure journey on Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) and other key routes.

Weather Update for Next 6 Hours

Due to cloud formations Light Rain/thunderstorms Gusty winds possible in many places in Jammu & Kashmir During the next 6 hours.

Higher reaches may receive Light to moderate spell of snow during above said period.

Overall Nothing significant Weather activity is expected untill 18th February.

Regards: Kashmir Weather Watch

GMC Anantnag Refutes Claims of Tongue Cut Instead of Lip Cyst; Calls Circulating Images Fake

Anantnag, Feb 16 (JKNS): Government Medical College (GMC) Anantnag has rejected allegations regarding a surgery performed on a five-year-old child in the ENT department, calling the images circulating on social media “fabricated” and aimed at maligning the institution’s reputation.

In a statement issued here to news agency JKNS reads, to malign the image of GMC Anantnag, consciously fabricated images are being circulated widely on social media by certain media outlets and persons related to surgery of a 5 old child in the department of ENT.

Images of tongue with cuts on the upper surface are circulated to give evidence of cutting of tongue tie which lies on the lower surface of the tongue of all the people, it reads.

The incident has been explained by the head of ENT Department GMC Anantnag as under.

“Five year old girl dated for surgery on 15th feb for lower lip cyst removal was operated Saturday by the senior resident department of ENT GMC Anantnag under local Anaesthesia. During the procedure it was found on the table that the patient is significant tongue tie also.

Statement further reads, as that could be the possible cause of the lip cyst , surgeon operated on that successfully, afterwards the surgeon begin the process of removal of cyst but was not possible because the child started crying and the procedure couldn’t be completed which is sometime the issue in such minor surgeries done under local Anaesthesia among small children.

The girl child was further assessed and is absolutely normal. The images being circulated in the media are fake ones and are not factual. The tongue of the child is absolutely normal after the surgery. The parents have been given the detailed account of the procedure and have been assured of the well being of the child,” it reads.

Doctors working at GMC Anantnag said that they want to give their hundered percent and such misreporting will only result in demotivation of health care workers. It is feared that in the near future senior residents and other staff will be reluctant to join GMC Anantnag and that will be a great setback for GMC Anantnag and it’s overall functioning, reads the statement. (JKNS)

From ‘State of Human Body’ to ‘UT of Human Body’: Errors in JKBOSE Textbooks Spark Public Outcry

Questions Raised Over Proofreading Despite JKBOSE’s Editorial Board

Srinagar, Feb 16 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (JKBOSE) continues to remain in the headlines, from a shortage of textbooks and denial of Class 10 examination forms to now making mistakes in textbooks, highlighting negligence on the board’s part.

Public outcry erupted after a social media user posted a video on X showing a JKBOSE Class 5 Economics textbook, Disaster Management and Road Safety Education, containing a misprinted sentence: “Unconsciousness or fainting is a UT of Human body.” The correct sentence should have been: “State of Human Body.”

Following this, people took to social media to criticize JKBOSE’s carelessness, pointing out the apparent lack of proper textbook review.

The mistake was not limited to a single occurrence. On page 29, the same incorrect phrase appeared in two other places within the textbook.

On the next page, the book states that this “UT” (which was mistakenly printed instead of “state”) can lead to the victim’s death if immediate first aid is not provided. In the following line, the word “UT” is repeated instead of “state.”

The textbooks are also available for students on the Board’s official website with the same mistakes.

Many social media users expressed their disappointment and frustration over such errors in school textbooks.

One social media user, Umar Arfiq Mir, reacting to the mistake, wrote on X: “Should we laugh or cry? We don’t understand. It feels like we are falling into a well where there is no way to climb back up… May Allah have mercy on all of us.”

Another user, likely a student, Murtaza Mushtaq, wrote: “Yes, this is the one. I also have an older 10th-grade textbook, and I am currently in 10th grade. I’ve noticed multiple mistakes in the new SST book, but they are correct in my previous edition. These errors appear in various chapters.”

Another user, Samit Bhat, expressed concern over the work ethic of officials, writing: “No one nowadays is willing to discharge their duties as designated. Most keep cribbing only but never give 8 hours of focused time that they are paid for.”

Meanwhile, MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Para also reacted to the issue, writing on X: “State of Affairs,” with a video attached.

Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader Naeem Akhtar also commented on the matter. While taking to X, he shared the video and wrote: “UT of affairs. Listen to this short video. State is downgraded to UT, and so is the English language in our BOSE books prescribed for school. It’s a Tragicomedy that we are living.”

The textbook errors have once again put JKBOSE under scrutiny, with social media users and political figures questioning the board’s credibility and its responsibility in ensuring error-free educational material.

It is important to note that JKBOSE has an editorial board responsible for proofreading content before textbooks are sent for printing. However, despite this, the textbook was approved without proper proofreading, raising questions about the board’s review process. (JKNS)