Unemployment rate dips marginally to 6.4 pc in December quarter: Survey

New Delhi, Feb 18: The rate of unemployment among people aged 15 years and above in urban areas dropped marginally to 6.4 per cent in the October-December quarter of the current fiscal, according to the National Sample Survey Survey (NSSO).

Joblessness, or unemployment rate, is defined as the percentage of unemployed people in the labour force.

The unemployment rate in the December quarter of FY24 was 6.5 per cent. However, the rate stayed flat when compared sequentially.

In the preceding July-September quarter of FY25, the rate of unemployment for people aged 15 years and above in urban areas was at the same level of 6.4 per cent, the 25th Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) showed.

The unemployment rate among females (aged 15 years and above) in urban areas declined to 8.1 per cent in October-December 2024 from 8.6 per cent in the same quarter a year ago. The rate was 8.4 per cent in July-September, 2024.

Among males, the unemployment rate in urban areas remained flat at 5.8 per cent in October-December 2024 as compared to the rate of the same quarter a year ago. The rate was 5.7 per cent in July-September, 2024.

Labour force participation rate in Current Weekly Status (CWS) in urban areas for people aged 15 years and above increased to 50.4 per cent in October-December from 49.9 per cent in the same quarter a year ago. The rate was 50.4 per cent in the July-September 2024.

Labour force refers to the part of the population, which supplies or offers to supply labour for pursuing economic activities for the production of goods and services and, therefore, includes both employed and unemployed persons.

The NSSO had launched PLFS in April 2017.

On the basis of PLFS, a quarterly bulletin is brought out giving estimates of labour force indicators namely unemployment rate, worker population ratio (WPR), labour force participation rate (LFPR), distribution of workers by broad status in employment and industry of work in CWS.

WPR for male aged 15 years and above for urban areas increased from 69.8 per cent in October-December, 2023 to 70.9 per cent during October-December, 2024.

The estimates of unemployed persons in CWS give an average picture of unemployment in a short span of seven days during the survey period.

In the CWS approach, a person is considered unemployed if he/she did not work even for one hour on any day during the week but sought or was available for work at least for one hour on any day during the period.

Labour force, according to CWS, is the number of persons either employed or unemployed on average in a week preceding the date of the survey. LFPR is defined as the percentage of the population in the labour force.–(PTI)

Power Shutdown Schedule Announced for Multiple Areas in Srinagar and Other Districts

Srinagar, February 18: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has announced a scheduled power shutdown in various areas to facilitate essential maintenance, upgradation, and stabilization work. The outages will affect different regions on multiple dates in February.

Srinagar District

1. Brein Nishat & Surrounding Areas (February 22, 11:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
   • Power supply will remain suspended to facilitate works by the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department and the replacement of 33kV Current Transformers (CTs).
   • Affected areas: Brein, Tulip Garden, Pahloo, Taj-Vivanta, Handampora, Ishbar, Nishat Pathan Bagh.
2. Khanyar-Rainawari Line Areas (February 22 & 25, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
   • Reconductoring of 33kV line from 0.15 ACSR to 0.2 ACSR will cause power disruption.
   • Affected areas: Miskeen Bagh, Rozabal, Maqdoom Sahib, Hazaribagh, Jogilanker, JLNM Hospital, Kondabal, Hassanabad, Saida Kadal, Dal Kawpora, Naidyar, Mental Hospital, Central Jail, Kathidarwaza, and other Dal localities.
3. Burzhama Extension Project (February 22, 24 & 26, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
   • Extension of the existing 33kV feeder from Burzhama to Batpora Receiving Station.
   • Affected areas: Danihama, Khimber, Chaterhama, Teilbal, Burzhama, Gassu, Shoperbagh, Rahbagh.

Baramulla & Sopore Areas

4. Emergency Stabilization Work (February 22, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
   • Power outage due to emergency work by STD Sopore.
   • Affected areas: Watlab, Tujjar, Dooru.
5. Baramulla Main Town & Surrounding Areas (February 23, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
   • Emergency stabilization work will cause power disruption.
   • Affected areas: Baramulla main town, DC office, Kanlibagh, Sangri, and adjoining areas.
6. Kalantra Tap Work (February 19, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
   • Jumpering of 33kV line by STD Sopore.
   • Affected areas: Sangrama, Wagoora, Kreeri, Ichloo.

Budgam & Pattan Areas

7. Utility Shifting for BEACON-NH (February 20, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
   • Power supply will be disrupted due to shifting work.
   • Affected areas: Palhalan, Hamray, Hanjiwera, Pattan, Palhalan, Hamray.
8. Budgam-Kremshore Line Shifting (February 20, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
   • Permanent underground cable work at Razvain.
   • Affected areas: Kremshore, Khansahib, Raithan, Brenwar, Arigam, Nunner, Shamsabad, Dreygam, Arampora, Shinipora, Yarikha Essential, and surrounding localities.
9. Ichgam & Surrounding Areas (February 20, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
   • Erection of ST pole and shifting of the 33kV Budgam-Kremshore line.
   • Affected areas: Ichgam, Ichkoot, Choon, Budbagh, Razvain, Kanir, Hushur, Wagam, Barwah, Zuhama, Hanjoora, Dadompora.

Bandipora & Awantipora Areas

10. Panzigam & Ajar (February 20 & 25, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
    • Stabilization and improvement works.
    • Affected areas: District Police Line, Town, Arin, Panzigam, Ajar.
11. Nursoo, Naidhal & Ajas (February 20 & 25, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
    • Power disruption due to maintenance work.
    • Affected areas: Nursoo, Naidhal, Ajas, Garoora, Papchan, Nishat, Argam.
12. Awantipora Line Augmentation (February 22, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
    • Stabilization of the 33kV Awantipora line.
    • Affected areas: Awantipora-I, Awantipora-II, IUST, AIIMS, Rice Mills, LIS, Malangpora, Padgampora, Beighpora, Barsoo, and Awantipora.
13. Tral & Adjoining Areas (February 22, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM)
    • Power outage due to ongoing maintenance work.
    • Affected areas: Tral Town, Dadsara, Chewa, Noorpora, Mandoora, Bathnoor, Diver.

Anantnag District

14. Wanpoh SICOP Line Upgradation (February 25 & 27, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM)
    • Upgradation from 0.1 ACSR to 0.2 ACSR.
    • Affected areas: Shamsipora, SICOP, Zirpara, Veeri, Cheniwader, Shuhul Flour Mill, Veer, Srigufwara, Zirpara, Shamsipara, Bijbehara-SICOP.

Residents of the affected areas are advised to take necessary precautions and plan accordingly to minimize inconvenience. Authorities have assured that the maintenance work is essential for improving the power supply infrastructure in the region.

Kashmir may see ‘drought’ as Jan, Feb record 80 pc precipitation deficit: MeT

Srinagar, Feb 18: Kashmir has witnessed a dry winter this year with the months of January and February recording a precipitation deficit of around 80 per cent, which has raised the possibility of drought in the valley this summer, the MeT department officials said.

Several water bodies are flowing below the zero level mark at many places while some springs in south Kashmir have dried up completely due to the receding water table, they said.

“There has been a 79 per cent deficient precipitation in the month of January and the situation in February so far is worse. If the dry weather continues, it is going to cause problems for the residents of the valley as there won’t be enough water for drinking or irritating the fields,” a MET department official said.

An official of the Irrigation and Flood Control Department said the water level in River Jhelum and several other water bodies was more than a metre below the usual water level for this time of the year.

“If it does not rain or snow in the next fortnight, there is a possibility of crisis with regards to water for drinking and irrigation purposes,” he added.

Social media is flooded with videos and images of dried up water bodies with Acchabal springs in south Kashmir having dried up completely.

The river bed of Jhelum is visible at many places, especially upstream in south Kashmir areas while the water level downstream in north Kashmir is alarmingly low. The situation is similar in other major streams of the valley.

The lack of enough snowfall has forced authorities to postpone the fifth edition of Khelo India Winter Games which were scheduled to begin from February 22.

While most of the Gulmarg bowl is bereft of snow, the higher reaches of the famous skiing destination does not have enough snow for safe conduct of sports activities.–(PTI)

Weather Update for Jammu & Kashmir (18th – 26th February 2025)

Current Forecast and Advisory

The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has released the latest weather update for Jammu & Kashmir, highlighting significant weather changes expected in the coming days. While the weather is expected to remain stable until 18th February, a shift is anticipated from 19th February onwards, bringing rain and snowfall across various regions.

Detailed Weather Forecast

18th February 2025

• No significant weather activity is expected. Conditions will remain mostly stable across J&K.

19th – 20th February 2025

• The weather will turn generally cloudy, with light to moderate rain and snowfall expected at many places between the evening of 19th and the evening of 20th February.
• Key areas affected:
  • Jammu Region & Chenab Valley: Main weather activity expected here.
  • South Kashmir (Higher Reaches): Likely to receive moderate snowfall (6-10 inches).
  • North & Central Kashmir (Higher Reaches): Expected snowfall of 4-8 inches.
  • Plains of Jammu: Light to moderate rain/thunderstorms with gusty winds possible.

21st – 23rd February 2025

• Weather will remain partly cloudy with no major disturbances.

24th February 2025

• Generally cloudy conditions with light rain/snow at isolated to scattered places.

25th – 26th February 2025

• Cloudy weather continues, with light to moderate rain and snowfall expected at many places across the region.

Advisory for Travelers and Locals ⚠

• Tourists, travelers, and transporters are advised to follow official administration and traffic advisories due to potential disruptions caused by rain, snowfall, and gusty winds.
• Those traveling to higher altitudes should be prepared for moderate snowfall, which may impact road conditions and visibility.

For real-time updates, follow MET Centre Srinagar and local authorities. Stay safe and plan your travels accordingly!

Issued by: MET CENTRE SRINAGAR