Weather Update for Jammu Kashmir from 25 to 31 January

25th Jan:
Nothing significant is expected. A minor snow shower can occur at one or two places in higher reaches. (Forecast Confidence = 95%)

26th Jan:
Nothing significant is expected. A minor spell of snow is expected in a few places in higher reaches. (Forecast Confidence = 80%)

27th Jan:
Nothing significant is expected. Though a couple of models are hinting of a spell of rain/snow in a few areas towards evening/night. (Forecast Confidence = 65%)

28th Jan:
Nothing significant is expected till late afternoon at least. Possibility of commencement of the next spell towards evening or during the late night. (Forecast Confidence = 75%)

29th Jan:
Possibility of light to moderate rain/snow in some parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Moderate snowfall can occur in some higher reaches.
Weather models are not indicating any major spell of snowfall this time in plains, especially for central and south Kashmir plains.
(Forecast Confidence = 60%)
(Changes in Forecast Possible)

30th Jan:
Nothing significant is expected as per the current conditions.
(Forecast Confidence = 80%)

Note:
1. Conditions for 31st Jan are being monitored. There have been indications of another spell from this date onwards, however, only in the coming days it will get clear.

2. Conditions for 29th Jan are subject to change. There can be a further decrease in expected intensity or an increase. Forecasts will be continuously updated for 29th Jan.

3. For Tourists, Sinthan Top remains closed during the events of snowfall. As such, plan your activities accordingly and stay updated with the latest forecasts.

4. The upcoming spell may bring a slight relief, however, many more spells are required to compensate the deficit J&K has faced during the last 2 months.

Number of voters in J&K reaches 86.93 lakh after SSR-2024

Gender ratio improves from 924 to 954; 259 new polling stations created

Srinagar, Jan 22 (KNO): The total number of voters in Jammu & Kashmir has reached 86.93 lakh after completion of special summary revision of electoral rolls in the Union Territory, with January 01, 2024 as qualifying date.

Jammu & Kashmir’s chief electoral officer P.K. Pole on Monday said that as of now, there are 86.93 lakh electors in J&K.

“As of now, there are 86.93 lakh electors which includes 44.35 lakh male and 42.58 lakh female,” he said.

He added that the electoral population ratio has improved from 0.59 to 0.60 and gender ratio from 924 to 954.

According to details available with news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), 2.31 lakh new voters were added to the electoral roll during the revision while 86000 were deleted due to deaths, shifting etc.

During the period of special summary revision, the details of 1.45 lakh electors were corrected, the CEO said.

This is the third revision of electoral rolls in Jammu & Kashmir after the delimitation exercise was completed on May 05, 2022.

According to details available with KNO, the special summary revision with January 01, 2024 as qualifying date was carried out in two phases.

The first phase involved training staff involved in the exercise and rationalization of polling booths.

As many as 259 new polling stations were created in J&K after consultation with political parties.

The second phase started with publication of the draft electoral roll on October 17, 2023. The exercise was completed with publication of the final electoral roll on Monday (January 22)­—(KNO)

South Kashmir residents ‘shocked’ over surge in power tariff

Urge PDD to reconsider decision

Pulwama, Jan 22 (KNO): Residents of several areas in south Kashmir are up against Power Development Department (PDD) for hiking their power tariffs every month and have demanded reconsideration of the decision.

Ab Rashid, a resident of the Litter area, told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the authorities have inflated bills after enhancing consumption load without carrying out any survey.

According to him, some consumers have experienced a substantial increase of Rs 1050 to 1300 per month.

“Unscheduled power cuts are taking a heavy toll on us and on the other hand, the PDD is increasing our electricity bills,” said Subzar Ahmad of Shopian.

He said that the residents of the area were shocked after receiving their bill wherein both load agreement and bill amount had been increased without taking consent from the consumers.

He said people living in villages are financially weak and this will put more burden on them.

Ab Hamid, another consumer from Anantnag, said that in the last year or two, the government has increased tariff at least 4-5 times and the government must think of poor people before making such a decision.

He said that there must be separate rates for APL and BPL ration card holders and a separate schemes must be devised for the same.

The residents appealed PDD that they should revisit their decision so that people won’t have to suffer—(KNO)

20% of valley’s water supply ‘badly affected’ due to dry spell, says Jal Shakti Dept

Water scarcity issue in plains not in higher reaches: CE PHE

Rehan Qayoom Mir

Srinagar, Jan 22 (KNO): Amidst a prolonged dry spell in Kashmir, approximately 20 percent of the valley’s potable water supply is “badly affected”, the Jal Shakti Department said on Monday.

Chief Engineer, Jal Shakti, Kashmir, Er Sanjeev Malhotra, speaking with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the situation may deteriorate further if there is no immediate wet spell.

He said the impact of the dry spell is more in plain areas which are witnessing a much decline in water supply. “Isolated springs across the valley have also dried up, which has exacerbated the water scarcity issue,” Malhotra said, adding that there is no such problem in higher reaches.

The Chief Engineer said an emergency water supply plan has been initiated for areas having water scarcity. But this is not a permanent solution, he clarified. “For water supply, there is no contingency plan, as water production depends on the availability of water in bodies like rivers and springs,” he explained.

Er Malhotra further said that there is no problem with groundwater resources.

Meanwhile, meteorological officials have predicted dry weather until January 24 (Wednesday), with generally cloudy conditions and light snow anticipated at isolated higher reaches from January 25-26. From January 27-31, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain/snow in many places, according to MeT.

The valley is currently experiencing ‘Chillai-Kalan,’ the 40-day harsh winter period, which will conclude on January 29.

Salat-ul-Istisq – prayers to seek rain/snow – have been offered across the valley since last week—(KNO)

Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police Advisory for January 23, 2024

The Jammu and Kashmir Traffic Police has issued an advisory for people traveling on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) on January 23, 2024.

• LMVs and private cars: Light motor vehicles (LMVs) and private cars are advised to travel on the Jammu-Srinagar NHW during the day time. People are advised to avoid traveling during the night hours due to the خطر of shooting stones between Ramban and Banihal.

• HMVs: Heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) are requested to not overload their vehicles and to carry sufficient fuel during their journey on the Jammu-Srinagar NHW. They are also requested to double-check the fitness of their vehicles before starting their journey.

• Dhar road: Only HMVs with 6 or 10 tyres will be allowed to ply on the Dhar road.

• SFs convoy movement: Security Forces (SFs) convoys will be allowed to move on the Jammu-Srinagar NHW from both sides, subject to fair weather and good road conditions.

• SSG road: Vehicular movement on the Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road will be allowed from both sides, subject to fair weather and good road conditions. LMVs followed by HMVs will be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar between 8:30 am and 11:00 am, and from Sonamarg towards Kargil between 12:30 pm and 3:30 pm. No vehicles will be allowed after the cut-off timings.

• Mughal road: Vehicular movement on the Mughal road will be allowed from both sides, subject to fair weather and good road conditions. These vehicles will be allowed from Behramgalla (Buffliaz) and Herpora (Shopian) between 10:00 am and 3:00 pm, after getting the green signal from the road agencies.

People are advised to undertake the journey on NH-44 only after confirming the status of the road from the Traffic control units.

The phone numbers for the traffic control units are:

• Jammu: 0191-2459048, 0191-2740550, 9419147732, 103
• Srinagar: 0194-2450022, 2485396, 18001807091, 103
• Ramban: 9419993745
• Udhampur: 8491928625
• PCR Kishtwar: 9906154100 (for the status of Sinthan road)