Traffic Advisory for Jammu & Kashmir: Updates on Road Conditions and Travel Guidelines

The Traffic Police Headquarters, Jammu & Kashmir, has issued an important advisory for commuters traveling across the region, particularly on National Highway-44 (NH-44), Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag NH-244, Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari (SSG) Road, and Mughal Road. Travelers are urged to check road conditions and follow the guidelines issued to ensure a safe journey.

Road Updates

NH-44 (Jammu-Srinagar National Highway)

1. Current Conditions:
   • Slow movement observed due to single-lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad, Marog, and Kishtwari Pather.
   • Ongoing construction for the four-lane highway has added to traffic congestion.
2. Travel Advisory:
   • Passengers and Light Motor Vehicle (LMV) operators are advised to travel during the day to avoid risks of shooting stones between Ramban and Banihal.
   • Heavy Motor Vehicle (HMV) operators, especially those carrying perishable goods or livestock, are advised to adhere to the traffic police advisory and ensure proper vehicle loading.
3. Key Instructions:
   • Avoid overloading.
   • Carry sufficient fuel and double-check vehicle fitness before starting the journey.
   • HMVs with 6 or 10 tyres are permitted to use the Dhar road.
   • Avoid halting unnecessarily near landslide-prone areas.
4. Traffic Plan for January 25, 2025:
   • Subject to fair weather, passenger LMVs, private cars, and HMVs will be allowed from both directions on NH-44. Travelers must coordinate with Traffic Control Units (TCUs) for updates.

Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag NH-244

• The road remains closed for vehicular movement following the advisory from Sub-Divisional Magistrate Kokernag (Order No. SDM/KNG/2024-25/3139-45).

Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari (SSG) Road

• Vehicular movement is suspended tomorrow for snow clearance and maintenance work, as per the advisory from PCR Kargil.

Mughal Road

• The road remains closed due to snow accumulation, as per the order from the District Magistrate Poonch (Order No. DMP/JC/7273-92).

Bhaderwah-Chamba Road

• The road remains closed due to heavy snow accumulation.

General Advisory

Travelers are strongly advised to confirm the status of the roads before starting their journey by contacting the Traffic Control Units at the following numbers:

• Jammu: 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732, 103
• Srinagar: 0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091, 103
• Ramban: 9419993745, 18001807043
• Udhampur: 8491928625
• PCR Kishtwar: 9906154100
• PCR Kargil: 9541902330, 9541902331

In light of adverse weather conditions and ongoing road maintenance, commuters are urged to exercise caution and plan their journeys accordingly. Stay updated on road conditions by following the official J&K Traffic Police Twitter handle and Facebook page.

Unfavourable weather conditions persist in Kashmir, with hot days, colder nights

Cold & dry weather conditions to persist until 29 January; Water levels and groundwater expected to reduce further: Weather Experts

Srinagar, Jan 24 (JKNS): The Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, has forecasted dry weather conditions till the evening of January 29.

While the independent weather forecaster has said that theere is possibility of a significant increase in daytime temperatures and a decrease of one to three degrees in nighttime temperatures during the next 5 days.

However, due to the strong sun shine most of the time on Friday, people felt heat instead of cold. The Kashmir Valley continues to experience unfavourable weather conditions, as people felt heat instead of cold due to the bright sunshine most of the day on Friday. Despite the clouds covering the area in the afternoon, the cold winds had no significant effect.

Meanwhile, the minimum temperature in Srinagar was recorded at minus 3.3 degrees Celsius between Thursday and Friday night, while the night temperatures in the tourist destinations of Sonamarg, Gulmarg, and Pahalgam were recorded at minus 9.8, minus 8.5, and minus 7.6 degrees Celsius. The night temperatures also dropped further in the rest of the Kashmir Valley.

Meanwhile, the Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, said on Friday that the weather is likely to remain dry in Jammu and Kashmir till the evening of January 29.

According to the Meteorological Centre, light rain and snowfall are expected at isolated places from the night of January 29 to the morning of January 30, and after that, the weather will remain partly cloudy till January 31. There will be no significant weather activity until the end of January.

Meanwhile, Faizan Arif who runs ‘Kashmir Weather’, which provides information on climate change, has shown the possibility of a significant increase in daytime temperatures and a decrease of one to three degrees in night temperatures during the next 5 days.

Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif said a cold wave is likely to hit Kashmir again in the next 48 hours. The night temperature in the plains of central and north Kashmir is likely to remain between minus 4 and minus 6 degrees, while the plains of south Kashmir may face severe conditions with the temperature dropping to minus 6 to minus 9.

Faizan, who runs the independent weather channel ‘Kashmir Weather’, said the weather is expected to remain dry until the end of this month.

A weak Western Disturbance is expected around January 31. However, Faizan warned that there is a possibility of further reduction in water bodies and groundwater levels, he said. (JKNS)

“Stay Vigilant Amid Dry Spell, Avoid Fire Hazards”: Div Com Kashmir to public

Says, Admin always Alert for Any Eventuality

Srinagar, Jan 24 (JKNS): Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri emphasized vigilance during the ongoing dry spell, highlighting forest fire risks and safety measures for trekkers.

Talking to media persons in Srinagar, as per news agency JKNS, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri said, “Due to the minor dry spell, we have seen some snowfall. However, since the dry spell persists, a 7-day alert has been issued. Logically, we need to remain alert at all times.”

“Not only forest fires, but we also need to ensure proper ventilation in our homes, especially after the unfortunate incident where some people lost their lives,” he added.

Advising trekkers, Bidhuri said, “It is advised to everyone who goes trekking to be cautious and avoid any activities that could lead to fire.”

“While snow patches cannot catch fire, areas like Shankaracharya and other dry patches remain vulnerable. We are prepared and on alert with the concerned departments,” Bidhuri said. (JKNS)

Clinic sealed in Srinagar’s Harwan, medicine samples taken for probe

Srinagar, Jan 24 (KNO): The authorities on Friday seized a clinic in the Dara Harwan area of Srinagar over reports of quackery, officials said.

An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that samples of the medicines were also taken for investigation.

The department of Paediatrics at government medical college Srinagar has raised concerns over rising cases of Acute Liver Failure (ALF) linked to unproven treatments by some quacks.

The head of the department had urged principal GMC to take strong measures against the practice of quackery—(KNO)

Weather Update for next 48 hours

A cold wave is set to grip Kashmir again during the next 48 hours. Night temperatures in central and north Kashmir plains are likely to range between -4°C and -6°C, while south Kashmir plains may experience harsher conditions, with temperatures dropping to -6°C to -9°C.

Dry weather is expected to dominate until the end of the month. A weak Western Disturbance is expected around January 31.

● Water levels are likely to decline further 📉

Forecast Insights: Kashmir Weather

Waive exam fees for J&K job aspirants: Salman urges CM Omar

‘Govt recruitment agencies shouldn’t turn into money-minting machines; NC committed to help aspiring youth’

Srinagar, Jan 23 (KNO): MLA Hazaratbal Salman Ali Sagar on Thursday urged Chief Minister Omar Abdullah to waive off the examination form fee for aspiring candidates applying for various posts through government recruitment agencies.

Talking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Salman said that youth from J&K applying for various posts advertised through recruitment boards should not be charged any examination fee, as it leaves them in dire straits and adds an extra financial burden on their families.

He pointed out that it is ironic that government recruitment boards are charging hefty sums as examination fees from aspiring candidates applying for one or more posts. “In other parts of the country, candidates are charged a minimal amount of Rs 100. However, here in Jammu and Kashmir, the examination fee for a single post is Rs 1000, and if a candidate is applying for multiple posts, they are charged multiple times. Additionally, we have seen candidates being charged hefty sums, only to find out later that the advertisements were canceled, and the fee was not refunded. This has to stop—sooner the better,” Salman said.

He added that he has already raised the matter with Education Minister Sakina Yatoo, who assured him that the issue would be resolved, as it stands pledged in the National Conference’s poll manifesto. “We will not allow the recruitment boards to turn into money-minting machines. Hundreds of crores have been taken from aspiring candidates by government recruitment agencies, even when the posts were only advertised and candidates were never called for examinations. I urge Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who has already made his stance clear regarding providing every possible relief to the youth of Jammu and Kashmir, to order a complete waiver of the examination fee. This will not only inspire and encourage more youth to apply for the posts but will also provide them with much-needed respite amid the spiraling unemployment crisis that the state has faced for more than a decade now,” Salman told KNO—(KNO)