Weather Update For Next 36hrs

An active Western disturbance is very likely to affect over Jammu and Kashmir from today evening/night under its influence,

Moderate to heavy snowfall is expected for the next 36hrs over most parts of Jammu and Kashmir while moderate rainfall is expected over plains of Jammu during the same period.

Heavy to very heavy snowfall is also possible over higher reaches of Kashmir. Good snowfall is expected over plains of Kashmir including Srinagar City during the next 36hrs.

Regards: Kashmir Weather Forecast

University of Kashmir: Postponement of Examination Scheduled on 6th January 2025

Srinagar, January 4, 2025: The Office of the Controller of Examinations at the University of Kashmir has issued a notification regarding the postponement of examinations scheduled for January 6, 2025, in view of the holiday marking the birth anniversary of Guru Gobind Singh Ji.

This decision has been taken to ensure observance of the auspicious occasion and to facilitate students and staff in celebrating the day with due reverence.

Students and other concerned parties are informed that fresh dates for the postponed examinations will be announced separately. All stakeholders are advised to keep checking the official university website and notifications for updates.

MeT Predicts Snowfall From Tonight Till Monday Morning In Most Parts Of J&K

Says There Is Possibility Of ‘Heavy Snow’ Over Middle, Higher Reaches Of Kashmir, Chenab Valley

Srinagar, Jan 4 (GNS): Weatherman on Saturday predicted snowfall at most places of Jammu and Kashmir with “peak activity” during January 4 night to January 5 (late night) and Monday morning.

A meteorological department official here told GNS that there is possibility of “heavy snow” over middle and higher reaches of Kashmir as well as Chenab Valley during the time.

“Generally cloudy weather is expected with light to moderate rain (plains of Jammu)/snow at most places of J&K with peak activity during (January) 4th (Night) to 5th (late Night)/6th morning,” the official said. He said improvement in the weather activity is expected from the afternoon of January 6.

From January 7-10, he said, generally cloudy and dry weather is expected. Similarly, he said, generally cloudy weather with light snow is expected at isolated to scattered places from January 11-12. Generally dry is expected from January 13-1, he said.

“(There is) possibility of heavy snow over middle and higher reaches of Kashmir and Chenab valley during (January) 4th night to 5th late night/6th morning,” he said.

Also, he said, the weather system was likely to cause temporary disruption of surface and air transportation particularly on January 5.

“Tourists/travellers/Transporters are advised to plan accordingly and follow Admin/Traffic advisory,” he added.

Meanwhile, the official told Global News Service that Srinagar recorded a low of minus 1.6°C which was 0.8°C above normal.

Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of minus 6.6°C and it was 3.6°C below normal for the gateway town of the Valley.

Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of minus 2.6°C and it was 3.3°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in Anantnag district. Kokernag recorded a low of minus 5.8°C and Kupwara minus 2.2°C, he said.

Jammu recorded a low of 8.7°C, Banihal 3.0°C, Batote 6.5°C, Katra 11.2°C and Bhadarwah 3.0°C, he added.

Kashmir is under the grip of Chillai-Kalan, the 40-day long harsh winter period that started on December 21. It does not mean an end to the winter either. It is followed by a 20-day-long period called ‘Chillai-Khurd’ that occurs between January 30 and February 19 and a 10-day-long period ‘Chillai-Bachha’ (baby cold) which is from February 20 to March 1. (GNS)

Red Alert For Higher Reaches of Kashmir

Heavy to very heavy snowfall expected over most places of higher reaches of Kashmir from tomorrow evening/night to 06 January.

Heavy to very heavy snowfall possible in these places like , Zojila pass , Sadhna pass , Razdan pass , Sinthan top , peer ki Gali, higher reaches of Shopian , Kulgam , Anantnag, Pulwama , Ganderbal, and Kupwara the Snowfall accumulations ranging between 02 feet to 05 feet in these places between 05 and 06 January.

The main tourist spots like Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Pahalgam, doodhpatri and Aherbal can receive fresh snowfall 01 to 03 Feet during above period.

Regards: Kashmir Weather Forecast

Shifting of affiliation by school create outrage among parents

Parents were taken on board before taking this decision; our aim is to prepare students for national-level competition; Says School Chairman

Aazan Manzoor

Srinagar, Jan 03 (JKNS): The parents of a local private school on Friday opposed the decision of the school management to adopt CBSE curriculum for the students from the upcoming academic session.

The parents expressed their anger over the “abrupt decison” taken by the school to switch their affiliation from JK Board of School Education (JKBOSE) to CBSE without consulting the parents which they said are the main stakeholders in the school.

Amid the complaints, the management of the school said that the school was granted NoC from the competant authorities and the decision to switch affiliation of Board was taken after taking parents on board.

However, a parent Numaan Bhat told news agency JKNS said the the school made such a change without seeking parental consent.

“This decision affects our children’s education, and it seems to serve the school’s financial interests rather than the students,” he said.

The parents urged the Education Minister and the School Education Department (SED) to intervene and prevent such unilateral decision.

“Schools should not be allowed to implement such changes without involving the primary stakeholders—parents,” another parent Ashiq Ahmad said.

The parents demanded that the school should rollback decision. “We need our children to learn education, nothing else, they schools are making decisions for their benefits,” a parent said.

Talking to news agency JKNS, the Chairman of Green Valley School said they obtained the NoC from the state government.

“This decision is built on the trust between the school administration and parents. There is a misconception among some parents that this shift will lead to higher fees or additional activity charges. That is not correct. The fees are regulated by the Fee Fixation Committee, and no changes can be made arbitrarily,” the school chairman said.

Chairman further said that the motive behind the decision was aimed at making students to compete at the national level and excel in competitive exams.

“Earlier, J&K students had the CET, but now that it has been abolished, NEET has become the standard. To ensure our students are prepared, we need to align with a board that supports national-level competition. Sticking solely with JKBOSE in this context would not serve our students well,” he said.

He also noted that many parents are unaware of the key differences between the two boards. “About 90% of parents don’t understand the distinction between CBSE and JKBOSE. They think this transition means the school will stop following state government regulations, which is not true. We will continue adhering to these rules and have instructed our staff to equip students to excel on a national scale. Parents do not need to worry about this process,” he said.

Chairman informed that they initially attempted to shift to CBSE in 2020 but their NoC was rejected as the school was deemed ineligible.

“We addressed the deficiencies highlighted at that time and applied again in 2024.We have been granted the NoC after meeting all requirements,” he said. (JKNS)

Power supply better this year than the previous one: Omar Abdullah

Srinagar, Jan 3, KNT: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Friday said that the power supply this year is better than the previous year. He said efforts are being made to ensure a stable electricity supply despite ongoing challenges.

When questioned about the electricity supply in the valley, Omar Abdullah stated that the power situation this year is better than in previous years.

“Power cuts are occurring, but efforts are being made to provide electricity according to the schedule. Any issues in the system are being rectified promptly,” he said. [KNT]

Northern Railway announces train timings for Katra-Srinagar route

Jammu, Jan 3: Northern Railway on Friday announced train timings for the Katra-Srinagar route, which is expected to be inaugurated after January 20.

According to the timing schedule, the Vande Bharat Express train will depart from Katra at 8.10 a.m. and arrive in Srinagar at 11.20 a.m.

Mail Express will run twice every day from Katra — departure at 9.50 a.m. and arrival in Srinagar at 1.10 p.m.; departure at 3.00 p.m. and arrival in Srinagar at 6.20 p.m.

Train timings from Srinagar to Katra for the Mail Express: departure from Srinagar at 8.55 a.m. and arrival in Katra at 12.05 p.m. The second run will be at 3:10 pm and arrival in Katra is at 6:30 pm.

Vande Bharat will depart from Srinagar at 12.45 p.m. and arrive in Katra at 3.55 p.m

The Vande Bharat train will start a 7 p.m. from Delhi and arrive in Srinagar at 8 a.m. The Katra-Srinagar link of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Batamulla Rail Link (USBRL) was the most ambitious and difficult link of this project.

Technically, this rail link is seen as a marvel of engineering with very few parallels anywhere else in the world. It involves some of the most challenging portions, including the bridge over the Chenab River in Ramban district, which is higher than the Eiffel Tower of Paris.

The Chenab Rail Bridge is a steel and concrete arch bridge carrying a single-track railway line, located between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of the Jammu division.

The bridge spans the Chenab River at a height of 359 m (1,178 ft) above the river, making it the World’s highest rail bridge and the World’s highest arch bridge.

The bridge was fully completed and was inaugurated in August 2022. It is built between the Sangaldan and the Reasi Railway stations.

USBRL is a dream come true for millions of people living in the landlocked Valley. It will give a quantum leap to tourism, trade, horticulture, and education and also change the very concept of travel to Kashmir Valley.–(IANS)