Kashmir parts receive fresh snowfall, rains lash plains

Several roads closed, minimum temperature rise again, MeT predicts improvement from tomorrow

Owais Gul

Srinagar, Nov 30 (KNO): The famous ski-resort, Gulmarg and several other places of Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall while the rains lashed plains on Thursday. However, the weatherman here has predicted improvement in weather conditions from tomorrow.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), scores of places including Sonamarg, Machil, Bhaderwah, Chowkibal Tangdhar, Keran, Gulmarg, Doodhpathri and other areas experienced fresh snowfall.

Nonetheless, the rains lashed the plains of Kashmir since the wee hours of this morning and continued intermittently throughout the day.

Moreover, Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that the weather is expected to improve from tomorrow.

The weather conditions are expected to remain cloudy till December 09, he said, adding that there is no forecast of any major activity during the period. He added the cloudy weather is expected during the period, but no major activity is predicted till December 09, 2023.

Meanwhile, the night temperature improved across Kashmir with Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recording a minimum temperature of 5.3 degree Celsius.

The mercury in Qazigund settled at 5.0 degree Celsius while in Pahalgam it settled at 1.5 degree Celsius.

According to data, Konibal and Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 1.0 degree Celsius each.

The prevailing weather conditions have forced the closure of several roads today. The Srinagar-Jammu National Highway remained open for the traffic despite the inclement weather conditions. However, Srinagar-Sonamarg-GumrRoad was closed for nearly one hour today, but was thrown open for traffic immediately after the road clearance work was done.

Officials said that after fresh snowfall was witnessed at several places including ‘Pir Ki Gali’, the authorities decided to close the road for vehicular movement.

Also, the fresh snowfall in northern districts also led to the closure of several roads.

“As a precautionary measure, the roads leading to Karnah sector, Keran sector, and Machil sector were closed this morning due to snowfall,” they said.

The official further said that the snow clearance operation shall begin only after the improvement in weather conditions—(KNO)

Over 4,000 cancer patients registered at SKIMS till Sept this year; 44,000 since 2014

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, Nov 30 (KNO): In a worrisome trend, Kashmir’s leading tertiary care hospital, Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Soura, has registered over 4,000 cases of cancer this year so far, while over 44,000 have been registered at the institute since 2014.

According to details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), 4,095 new cancer registrations have been done at SKIMS Soura till September this year. The institute has registered 44,112 cases of cancer from 2014 until September 2023.

As per details, 3,940 cases were registered in 2014, followed by 4,417 in 2015, 4,320 in 2016, 4,352 in 2017, 4,816 in 2018, 4,337 in 2019, 3,814 in 2020, 4,727 in 2021, 5,294 in 2022, and 4,095 in the ongoing year till September.

Officials said that cancer cases have shown a steep rise in Kashmir, adding that in men, lung cancer is the most prominent one, while women are fast falling prey to breast cancer.

“Smoking is one of the primary reasons for cancer among males, besides family history, obesity, and age, among other factors, responsible for the cancer cases,” they said, adding that early detection of the disease helps provide timely treatment, which ultimately can help save precious lives.

Cancer is a multi-dimensional disease and the risk factors, inter alia, include an ageing population, sedentary lifestyle, use of tobacco products, unhealthy diet, and air pollution, doctors said. They urged patients having symptoms of cancer to come forward, as early treatment can prevent the disease from spreading further and then help save a life.

Doctors further said that quality treatment is available as far as Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy are concerned, besides the continuous enhancement of infrastructure for quality patient care.

According to data from the Union Health Ministry, 51,577 cases of cancer were reported in J&K in the last four years (2019-2022), with 12,396 in 2019, 12,726 cases in 2020, 13,060 cases in 2021, and 13,395 cases in 2022.

A total of 35,623 people in J&K died of cancer between 2018 and 2022, with 6,824 cancer patients reported to have died in 2018, 7,003 deaths reported in 2019, 7,189 deaths reported in 2020, 7,211 deaths reported in 2021, and 7,396 cancer patient fatalities reported in 2022.

Pertinently, a 2012 study of SKIMS attributed the rising cancer incidence to “dietary practices and lifestyle choices” as well as the intake of foods with high salt content—(KNO)

Lt Governor addresses Amar Ujala’s Rising J&K Conclave at Jammu

Highlights the impressive strides in different sectors and emergence of J&K as a model Union Territory

Jammu, Nov 30 (KNO): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha addressed the ‘Rising Jammu Kashmir’ Conclave organized by Amar Ujala Group at Jammu on Thursday.

The Lt Governor highlighted the impressive strides in different sectors and the emergence of J&K as a model Union Territory. He said the UT is growing at an unprecedented rate with steadfast resolve and commitment to ensure welfare of the common man.

“Under the guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, we are witnessing the rise of a developed Union Territory. This divine land in a true sense has been transformed as a ‘Paradise on Earth’,” the Lt Governor said.

At the conclave, the Lt Governor shared the key initiatives of the UT Administration to ensure ease of living for citizens.

He said the acceleration of J&K’s all-round development and the empowerment of the common man are benefitting all sections of society.

Our focus is not just faster but also inclusive and sustainable growth. We are laying the foundation of industrialization and modern agriculture & allied sectors to create new opportunities for youth, farmers and women, he added.

The Lt Governor said the UT administration is determined to create fear-free and terrorism-free J&K. He said the administration has been successful in dismantling the ecosystem of conflict profiteers, terrorists, secessionists, and terrorism is now breathing its last breath.

“I am confident this decade will be the golden decade for J&K,” he said.

Senior officers of Civil and Police Administration, senior journalists, prominent personalities from different walks of life, and people in large numbers were present—(KNO)

5 KU employees suspended over altercation in campus; Probe ordered

Srinagar, Nov 30 (KNO): Five employees of the Kashmir University have been placed under suspension following an altercation over a “minor” car mishap on the campus, officials said.

According to an order issued by KU’s General Administration Department on Wednesday, November 29, Riyaz Ahmad Rather, Assistant Xerox Operator, Department of Chemistry; Mohammad Shafi Rather, Orderly, Dean Education Office; Irfan Rather, Helper, Construction Division and Aquib Ahmad Wani, Helper, Directorate of Distance Education have been placed under suspension “pending inquiry in the matter”.

Sources said the altercation took place when vehicles of Riyaz and Aquib had a minor collision outside the Allama Iqbal Library when the University had closed for the day, at around 4.30pm Wednesday. Soon, the altercation took an ugly turn while other two employees also joined the fistfight, which was caught on camera by many passer-by students and employees.

“It was a scene of utter hooliganism which didn’t augur well with the University settings. Many students sought action against the employees for setting a bad precedent,” said an official privy to the incident.

He said such episodes could have a negative impact on the psyche of students, besides tarnishing the image of the University in the eyes of the public.

“The VC directed strict action against the employees over hooliganism and indiscipline, leading to their suspension. An inquiry committee has been set up to further probe into the matter and recommend future course of action,” the official said.

This is for the second time an on-campus altercation was caught on camera, much to the embarrassment of the University.

Last year, two senior professors of the University resorted to fistfighting in front of students, forcing the University to relieve them from headship of their respective assignments—(KNO)

Residents of Srinagar’s Hazratbal, Lal Bazar areas urge for late night E-Rickshaw service

Rehan Qayoom Mir

Srinagar, Nov 30 (KNO): Residents of Hazratbal, Lal Bazar and adjacent areas have urged authorities to run E-Rickshaw service till late evening hours to avoid inconvenience to people.

Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the residents said they have to face immense hardships during late night commuting in absence of transport facilities.

“The existing public transport system is inadequate and fails to meet the area’s needs. We urge the concerned authorities to introduce E-Rickshaw services on a pilot basis to address this issue,” said Muneer Ahmad, a local from Lal Bazar in Srinagar.

He said that E-Rickshaws are an eco-friendly and convenient mode of transport, which could benefit their area. “We also demand that the authorities set a reasonable fare for E-Rickshaw services,” he added—(KNO)