Author: snskashmir

SNS KASHMIR

Jammu, Jan 5 ): Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Vice President and former MLC G N Monga Tuesday criticized the government over inordinate delay in revival of over 100-year old Mohra hydroelectric project in Baramulla district which has been defunct since 1992.

In a statement issued to press he said at a time when the government of the day has signed memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) to attract Rs 35,000 crore investments, “why has been Kashmir’s first hydroelectric project, constructed way back in 1905, left to decay?”

“I took up the issue in the Legislative Council several times from 2013 onwards, and met the concerned minister and the officials, who assured that the work would be started soon on the projects. However, several years down the line no progress has been made which is unfortunate,” Monga said and added if the work on the project is started not only will it suffice the power needs in the area, but would also generate employment for the locals.

The heritage project, one of the oldest hydel power plant in South Asia, was constructed by European engineers in early part of last century on the left bank of the river Jhelum on Srinagar-Muzaffarabad road at Boniyar in Uri.

“While the detailed project report to maintain the heritage of the project was completed a few years back, the process for inviting tenders for restoration of the project is yet to be done.

If completed, the project not only would suffice the electricity needs of people residing in border areas of Baramulla and Kupwara, it would cater to the needs of the villagers for irrigation purposes as well,” the Congress leader said and demanded that the government must start work on the project if it is serious in tapping the hydro electricity potential in J&K.

He said given the historical importance of the power project, “I hope that the work on the restoration of the project is started as early as possible and the new project accommodates most of the old features particularly the water flume which can turn the site into a major tourist attraction too.”(KNS) 

SNS Kashmir Desk
Srinagar Jan 5 :As neighbouring Himachal Pradesh reported cases of bird flu, Jammu and Kashmir has sounded an alert and started collecting samples to check the health of the winged guests flocking the Union territory during winters, officials said.
The joint teams of Animal Husbandry and Wildlife departments on Tuesday visited Gharana wetland in the outskirts of Jammu and collected 25 bird droppings for testing to ascertain whether any of the birds is infected with the dreaded avian influenza, the officials said.
The J&K government has sounded an alert following reports of bird flu cases in Himachal Pradesh and issued certain guidelines as a precautionary measure, Wildlife Warden, Jammu, Anil Atri told PTI.
Atri, who along with Dr Ranjit Katoch of the Wildlife department joined the Animal Husbandry team at Gharana wetland, said all the birds present in the wetland looked healthy.
Gharana Wetland Conservation Reserve in R S Pura sector near the International Border was notified in 1981 and is home to more than 170 species of birds like bar-headed geese, gadwalls, common teals, purple swamp hens, Indian moor hens, black-winged stilts, cormorants, egrets and green shanks.
During the winter, the wetland is visited by thousands of birds from Central Asia and some of the migratory bird species visiting this wetland are endangered.
The team of Animal Husbandry Department, Jammu collected the bird dropping samples for testing, he said, adding there is no need for alarm as this is being done just as a precautionary measure in view of reported cases in HP, Rajasthan, Kerala and Madhya Pradesh to keep the wetlands safe and check the spread of the H5N8 virus.
We have alerted our staff and the public in accordance with the government guidelines like avoiding touching any animal with symptoms and wearing of proper personal protective kits. They were also asked to report immediately if they see any change in the behavior of the birds, Atri said.
Asked about the number of birds present at the wetland, he said the figure fluctuates between 1,000 and 2,000.
The number does not remain static and keeps changing as the migratory birds move from one wetland to another including those across the border. Bar-headed geese outnumber other migratory birds at the wetland,” he added.
Dr Katoch said the sampling team of the Animal Husbandry Department collected the samples which would be tested in Jalandhar.
So far, no death of any migratory or local bird was reported from the wetland. We have checked the birds and all are healthy, he said.
He added that observatory staff has been alerted to keep an eye on the birds. (PTI)
 

Srinagar Jan 5: The public utility services like power, transport have been hit by snowfall due to lack of preparedness by the administration in Kashmir.
Kashmir received light to moderate snowfall since Sunday. However, the government is yet to restore the basic amenities to people in several parts of the valley.
People have been facing abrupt power cuts while roads are waterlogged or under snow.
Mohammad Altaf, a resident of Kokernag, said that electricity is yet to be restored in various parts of Kokernag.
“In some areas, the electricity has been partially restored,” he told news agency Kashmir Indepth News Service (KINS).
He termed the assurances given by the government regarding the early restoration of electricity as “baseless”. “People have been suffering terribly due to the absence of electricity. Roads have not been cleared yet,” he said.
He said that students preparing for different exams are not able to study in absence of the electricity.
In south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, consumers of Dilagam, Kadipora, and main town have complained that they electricity has not been restored yet.
The situation is almost same in Srinagar even in metered areas. “For last two days, we face abrupt power cuts,” said Gulzar Ahmad, a resident of Habak.
While, the situation is grim in non-metered areas.
The cold wave conditions continued in Kashmir as Valley freezes in sub-zero temperatures.
The residents of main town Baramulla, said the unscheduled power cuts have made their lives “miserable”. 
A senior government official however said electricity was being restored. “South Kashmir has been badly affected by snowfall. Many transformers got damaged. Several electricity wires have also been damaged due to snowfall especially in Shopian,” the official told news agency KINS.
The non-clearance of snow has also led to disruption in supplies of commodities like vegetables, milk and other essentials. There was also a thin attendance of employees in government and private offices as they could not reach to their offices due to accumulation of snow. Very less traffic was plying on the roads.
“Only main road has been cleared but snow is lying on internal roads of the area,” said Farooq Ahmad, a resident of Sanatnagar.
While as fights remained suspended at the Srinagar airport due to poor visibility.
Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir Valley with the rest of the world, also remained closed for the third consecutive day on Tuesday due to continuous accumulation of snow at several places.
Around 5000 vehicles, mostly trucks carrying essentials to the valley, are stranded at several places along the 270km stretch.
Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded a low of minus 0.8 °C while mercury settled at minus 1.1°C in Pahalgam, minus 4.0°C in Gulmarg,  Qazigund minus 0.2°C, Kupwara minus 0.7°C while Kokernag recorded a low of minus 0.7°C, the official said.

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 5 :

Meteorological department on Tuesday said that present weather conditions are likely to continue till late night of early tomorrow and thereafter forecast “significant” improvement.

At present, heavy snowfall is going on in entire Kashmir, crippling normal life across the Valley. Most people have preferred to stay indoors even as a very minimal traffic movement was seen on road with commuters struggling to make the way.

“Present weather conditions are likely to continue till late tonight or early tomorrow,” an official of the weatherman said as per GNS. “We expect significant improvement in weather from tomorrow (January 6) in jammu and Kashmir,” he said, adding, “With that, cold wave will return from January 7th onwards with warmer days and colder night.” (GNS)

Reyaz Rashid

Pattan: In a tragic incident, three family members including a couple and their son died of asphyxiation  when they kept their LPG gas heater aflame in their room during night in Nehalpora village of Pattan in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Tuesday morning.

Locals said that three family members including head of the family Mohammad Maqbool Lone along with his wife and son were sleeping in a room at their newly constructed residential house in Nehalpora Pattan . They had kept LPG gas heater on for night which caused suffocation in the room causing their death.

 “Today when they didn’t wake up till late in the morning, family members knocked the door; however, there was no response. Later, we broke down the bolted door and found the trio dead in their room,” said Javid Ahmad.

Soon after locals found their bodies, they informed the police, who reached the spot immediately.

Local identified the trio as  Mohammed Maqbool Lone (50) his wife Haseena Begum (45), their son Talib Maqbool (4).

Meanwhile,  a senior police official that a police party had reached the spot and they were ascertaining the cause of their death.

Death due to suffocation of has shocked the entire area and pall of gloom descended on Nehalpora village. 

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 5 :

Kashmir University’s Controller of Examinations Prof Irshad A Nawchoo said on Tuesday that UG 1st year examination scheduled to be held on 6th January 2021 (Wednesday) stands postponed in view of the inclement weather conditions.

The examinations of BDS Final (Community Dentistry) and UG 6th semester, which are scheduled to be held on 7th January 2021 (Thursday), are also postponed, he said.

New dates for the deferred examinations will be notified later on, Prof Nawchoo said. in a statement issued to GNS.

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR, JANUARY 05 :

J&K Bank management has decided to hold all Bank exams on schedule despite heavy snowfall.

A top official informed KNS that they cannot change the examination date.

” This is not done by J&K Bank.It is in hands of IBPS. We have given relaxation of half an hour in timing. Still we will request them. Those who have to attend examination attend it any way.”

Meanwhile Kashmir University, Cluster University and State board of School Education has postponed the examination due to the adverse weather situation which has cut-off major roads in Kashmir” (KNS)

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR JANUARY 05 :

The Examination of Class 11th Annual Regular 2020 Kashmir Division which is scheduled to be held on 06/01/2021 stands postponed due to the inclement weather. Fresh date will be notified in due course of time. All the Heads of Sub/Branch Offices are directed to inform all the concerned accordingly.

By Order. Deputy secretary, SSR, KD.

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR JANUARY 05 :

In a condolance statement issued from Jammu Chairman Jammu Kashmir Civil Society forum(JKCSF)Ab Qayoom wani expressed grief and sorrow on the sad demise of Father in law of jkcsf co-ordinator Shri Pushpinder singh.
Wani said that the deceased was a God fearing man with human heart and known by his simplicity and helpful nature in his locality.
Wani prayed for eternal peace to the departed soul and courage to the bereaved family at this difficult time especially to shri Pushpinder singh
The entire leadership of JKCSF showed sympathy and solidarity with the bereaved family at this time of grief.

SNS KASHMIR

SRINAGAR JANUARY 05 :

Weather Update 5 Jan (8:30a.m.)

Moderate to heavy snowfall is likely to continue till tomorrow morning with occasional breaks.
Significant improvement in weather is expected from tomorrow afternoon.
However, isolated light snowfall activities will continue till 8th Jan.

Regards
(Kashmir Weather)