Power generation hit in Kashmir as prolonged dry spell reduces water level in water bodies

Erratic power supply irk consumers; KPDCL begins power curtailment, will arrange electricity from outside in next few days, says CE Javed Yousuf Dar

Owais Gul

Srinagar, Sep 28 (KNO): With prolonged dry spell leading to the reduction in water level in most of the water bodies across the Valley, the Kashmir-based power houses are generating less electricity, prompting the government to go ahead with power curtailment, causing immense hardships to the people.

Pertinently, August and September—2023 has recorded deficient rainfall while the hot and humid weather conditions continued for weeks together, breaking the decades old record in the month of September.

The hot and humid weather conditions resulted in reduction in water level in the famous water bodies including river Jhelum, Chena, Doodh Ganga and others following which the people complained of water scarcity in their areas.

However, with the passage of time, the consumers across the Valley have been complaining of erratic power supply, demanding authorities to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply to the people.

The complaints are being received from Natipora, Rambagh, Barzulla, Bhagat, Chanapora, Dalgate, Boulevard, Nehru Park, Habb Kadal, Chattabal and other places. “The conditions are the same in both metered as well as the non-metered areas,” the consumers said.

Chief Engineer, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), Javed Yousuf Dar told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the department has resorted to the power curtailment in view of the less power generation at the powerhouses of the valley in wake of the reduction in water level of river Jhelum, Chenab and other water bodies.

He said that besides the less power generation, the temperature has plummeted, which in result has increased the demand of electricity, thus promoting the KPDCL to go for power curtailment. “We are trying to ensure less curtailment in the areas where smart meters have been installed,” he added.

The Chief Engineer further told KNO that the availability of electricity from outside is too less, but the government is trying to arrange more electricity and hopefully in the coming days, the situation would improve.

It is worth mentioning that two weeks ago, the water level in river Jhelum was recorded 70-year low due to the prolonged dry spell in Jammu & Kashmir.

The prolonged dry spell ended on Sunday when the upper reaches of Gulmarg and other areas received fresh snowfall and the rains lashed the plains across J&K, which also led to the decrease in maximum temperature—(KNO)

Ahead of 2024 general elections, PM Modi, HM Shah, other BJP bigwigs to hold rallies in J&K after assembly polls in 4 states

Yogesh

Jammu, Sep 28 (KNO): To boost the morale of party workers and setting right tone for Lok Sabha elections due in April-May next year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah among top brass of Bharatiya Janata Party’s stalwart (BJP) is all set to led party’s campaign in Jammu and Kashmir by holding massive rallies after assembly polls in four states.

Party sources told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), that Modi,. Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affair Ministers S Jaishankar, Road and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari among top leadership will be addressing rallies and launching various development projects from October -November onwards.

Sources said though the calendar of VVIP visit is not final yet but it’s likely to commence after the assembly elections in four states including Madhya Pradesh , Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Telangana.

Sources confirmed that Modi, Shah is expected to be in Jammu and Kashmir for minimum of two days and maximum three days depending upon his schedule whenever it is finalized.

They said the Home Minister has given his consent to the tour programme while a formal nod from the Prime Minister is expected as the UT Government is also preparing a detailed list of projects and welfare schemes which he will launch and inaugurate.

Sources said that PM Modi is likely to inaugurate AIIMS OPD at Awantipora besides addressing a massive rally in Anantnag, where over 2 lakh people are expected to attend the gathering.

Jaishankar, Nitin Gadkari, Rajnath Singh also expected to hold rallies before announcement of Lok Sabha polls.

Confirming the development, BJP’s J&K unit president Ravinder Raina said that though dates are yet to be finalised but PM Modi, Amit Shah and other top ministers are expected to address massive rallies. He said that they recently met Amit Shah in New Delhi, where they had requested the top brass to hold rallies in Jammu and Kashmir.

Apart from this, he said BJP leadership has also requested party president Jagat Prakash Nadda for a two to three days visit to Jammu and Kashmir at his convenience but his tour is yet to be finalized. However, as per the party leaders, Nadda will definitely visit the UT before the announcement of Parliamentary polls—(KNO)

After handing over police recruitment to separate agency, 4000 vacancies of constables in Dept: DGP Dilbagh Singh

Says due to delay in recruitment, deficiency in ranks being felt in every district, Situation continues to remain normal despite Kokernag gunfight; strong security grid in place across J&K, Kathua a peaceful district

Raja Syed Rather

Kathua, Sep 27 (KNO): Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh Wednesday said that after the administration handed over police recruitment to a separate agency, there are 4000 vacancies of constables in the department while deficiency is being felt everywhere.

“Earlier, police would conduct its recruitment drives itself. Since the recruitment process was handed over to some separate agency, there are 4000 vaccancies of police constables in the department. The deficiency in ranks is being felt every where in J&K,” DGP Singh told reporters on the side-lines of a security review meeting at Kathua district, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

He said that Kathua and its remote villages are maintaining the communal harmony. “There are hardworking people who spend days in fields and shops to earn their livelihood. Peaceful atmosphere is prevailing in this district,” the DGP said, adding that “there is a great demand for the police recruitment drives as youth here are facing unemployment.”

He said that police had been always giving priority to border areas whenever recruitment drives were held in the past.

Asked about situation post Kokernag encounter where two army officers and a police officer were killed, the DGP said “situation continues to remain peaceful as it was earlier.”

He said that neighbouring country always hatches conspiracies to destabilise the peace but police and forces are alert to foil all such bids—(KNO)