Light rains to continue for next four days: Weatherman

By: Owais Gul

Srinagar: Kashmir parts on Friday evening heave a sigh of relief from the scorching heat after most areas of the Valley received light rainfall while the day temperature continued to remain above normal for the fourth straight day here.

Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recorded a maximum temperature of 34 degrees Celsius today, which was a few notches below yesterday.

The winter capital of the Union Territory, as per the officials from Meteorological department received fresh rainfall last night, which brought relief from the scorching heat, saying that the maximum temperature in Jammu has settled at 37.3 degrees Celsius.

In Kashmir division, Kupwara was once again hottest in the region where the temperature settled at 34.5 degrees Celsius.

In Anantnag, the day temperature settled at 32.2 degree Celsius while in Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama, it recorded 28.7, 30.4 and 33.2 degrees Celsius respectively. In Bandipora, another northern district, it recorded 32.7 degrees Celsius today. Budgam in central Kashmir recorded 33.9 degree Celsius temperature today.

In Jammu region, Kathua, Kishtwar, Ramban, Poonch, Samba and Udhampur recorded 35.7, 35.2, 36.7, 31.4, 37.0 and 36.4 degrees Celsius respectively today.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director MeT, Mukhtar Ahmad said they are expecting light rains/thunderstorms in the next four-five days across Kashmir.

“There has been relief from the scorching heat in Jammu after rainfall last evening while the heat wave would end in Kashmir also from tomorrow as we are forecasting light rains from Friday evening,” he said.

Moreover, a windstorm has wreaked havoc in some areas of Srinagar and elsewhere in Kashmir.

In Natipora main chowk, a rooftop of a complex was damaged in the strong winds, witnesses said, adding that in Shopian, Pulwama and Kulgam in South Kashmir, some houses and buildings also suffered damage as the rooftops were blown away by the strong winds.

In the northern district, Baramulla-Srinagar highway remained briefly shut after a tree fell down on the main road in Pattan area due to strong winds, sources said.

In Baramulla district, the hailstorm damaged crops in Rafiabad, Sopore and Zaingeer Belt including Duroo, Botingoo, Dangerpora, Warpora and Watlab, causing damage to the crops, houses and vehicles. (KNO)

By: M S Nazki

Poonch: Mughal road, connecting Poonch and Shopian districts, was closed due to landslide and felling down of trees across the road stretch at few places en route, officials said on Friday.

They said due to heavy rains and gusty winds, the thoroughfare was closed as there was a landslide and trees were uprooted and fell down across the road at Chattapani area.

District Traffic Incharge Mughal Road Mohammad Qasim confirmed said that Mughal road has been closed for traffic.

Earlier, the authorities said subject to fair weather and better road condition, only load carriers including fresh perishable, fruits, vegetables and empty truck and tankers shall be allowed from Herpora (Shopian) at 0900 hours upto 1400 hours towards Poonch.

“No vehicle shall be allowed after cut of timings. Moreover, no passenger vehicle or pedestrian shall be allowed on Mughal Road,” the officials had said. (GNS)

By: Peerzada Waseem

Baramulla: An overnight blaze in Sweeper Colony, Noorbagh area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district turned at least 13 houses into ashes and rendered 31 families homeless besides shattering many dreams, officials said Friday.

They said that a massive blaze engulfed Sweeper Colony, Noorbagh at around 9:30 pm on Thursday night which spread like a bushfire and left at least 13 houses completely damaged while 31 families putting up in these houses were rendered homeless. Luckily there was no loss of life reported in the incident.

Locals said that soon after the fire broke out they informed the fire services department, police and the army. “It was the police that reached the spot first and informed other departments.

Police men started dousing the fire of their own till fire services reached along with its fleet,” a local said. “It was the SSP Baramulla, who along with other policemen doused the flames till fire services vehicles reached the spot,” a local, whose house was damaged in the fire, said.

Deputy Director Fire and Emergency services Baramulla, Abdul Khaliq said that as the fire broke out in the areas, fire tenders from Sopore, Sangrama, Rafiabad, and Baramulla were rushed to the spot to douse the flames. “At least 31 families have been left homeless as their houses were turned into ashes due to the deadly blaze,” he said.

Officials from the administration including Tehsildar, Accountant Officer, revenue officer, fire service, police and other departments have sent teams to review the situation and estimate the damages. Tents and food are being provided among those affected by the fire. “As per the government direction, we will provide compensation to all the affected families,” said Naib Tehsildar Baramulla, Ghulam Muhammad Chopan. (KNO)

Baramulla: On the directions of Lieutenant Governor, Advisor to LG Baseer Ahmad Khan accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Bhupinder Kumar and other senior officers paid visit to Noorbagh Baramulla where he met with the fire victims whose residential houses were completely damaged in a massive fire incident late last night.

In a devastating fire incident that took place in the intervening night of 10th and 11th June, 12 residential houses comprising of 29 families with 160 souls, have been completely damaged in the said colony. The Advisor had round of the gutted houses and interacted with the affected families.

On the occasion, the Advisor was apprised about the condition and the issues these families are facing in the aftermath of the incident. The Advisor gave a patient hearing to the sufferers and assured that every possible support shall be provided for their immediate rehabilitation.  He said that the Lieutenant Governor is personally monitoring the relief and rehabilitation of the affected families.

Meanwhile, the Advisor provided cheques worth Rs 50,000 among each affected family as an immediate relief. He also assured that more financial support shall be provided out of the Disaster Management Fund and under other similar schemes. He also announced one month free ration among the victim families.

Furthermore, the Advisor directed the Deputy Commissioner to undertake a holistic assessment so that they can be covered under PMAY housing scheme and SDRF relief. He also directed to ensure that every type of possible assistance is provided to ameliorate their sufferings.

The fire victims thanked the Lieutenant Governor and Advisor Baseer Ahmed Khan for their personal intervention and their efforts to extend immediate relief to the sufferers.

Baramulla: Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole Friday paid a visit to the Noorbagh area of Baramulla, where he met the fire victims whose residential houses were completely damaged in a massive fire incident that happened last night.

Div Com during the visit was accompanied by Deputy Commissioner Baramulla Bhupinder Kumar, SSP Rayees Ahmad Bhat and other concerned functionaries.

As many as 12 residential houses comprising 29 families with 160 souls, have been completely damaged during the intervening night of 10th and 11th of June at Noorbagh area, here.

On the occasion, the Div Com took first hand appraisal of the situation during which the fire victims apprised the advisor about their condition besides extending their issues and demands. He gave a patient hearing and assured that every kind of possible support shall be provided for their immediate rehabilitation.

Meanwhile, P K Pole directed the Deputy Commissioner to conduct a proper assessment of the damage so that the victims are rehabilitated under different welfare programmes sponsored by the administration.

He also directed to provide essential items as an immediate relief and take appropriate measures for their time being shelter.

Reviews progress under Capex budget 2020-2021

Pulwama: Principal Secretary Power Development Department (PDD), Rohit Kansal Friday said that the intention of the government is to create a vision for every district in order to have holistic development in terms of infrastructure and socio-economical upliftment of these administrative units.

Principal Secretary made these remarks while chairing a meeting to review progress under Capex budget 2020-21 and discuss the annual Capex plan for the current financial year of District Pulwama.

He said that the reason behind nominating Administrative Secretaries as incharge secretaries of districts is to have a guardian and mentor for every district for handholding and to share their administrative experiences with the district administration.

He called upon the departments to have a close coordination among themselves for any developmental project in the district. He impressed upon the heads of the department to finish all the works within given deadlines with respect to all the Centrally Sponsored Schemes and works taken under CAPEX Budget 2021-22.

He emphasized for timely submission of audit reports, UCs, action taken reports so that the works would be finished in time. He directed the officers that besides focusing on infrastructure works they should also identify other activities which include social welfare schemes and focusing also on economic activities of their area while making any developmental plans for the district.

With respect to the demand of stadium and playing fields in the area, he asked the revenue department to identify lands for the purpose.

Commenting on the Back to Village Programme, Block Diwas and Jan Abhiyan, Principal Secretary maintained that the aim of these programmes is to take the administration at the doorsteps of the people.

He directed the officers that during Block Diwas they must focus on 100 percent saturation of beneficiary oriented schemes, besides issuance of certificates like Domicile, Income, RBA and other Revenue related documents.

About the beautification plan of Pulwama town, the Principal Secretary asked the officers to come up with a holistic plan and consult Urban Planning Consultant while taking into consideration all the aspects of aesthetics and beautification of the area before executing any work.

With respect to electricity supply in the district, the Principal Secretary said that the PDD department is investing Rs 5000 crore in different schemes for the  purpose and the district will also  be covered under such schemes.

Earlier, Kansal took a detailed sectoral wise review in the meeting with respect to the implementation of the development plan last year.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Pulwama, Baseer-ul-Haq Choudhary, MD KPDCL, Dr Basharat Qayoom; SSP Pulwama, Ashish Kumar Mishra; Chief Engineer Distribution Kashmir; SEs, and other concerned.

On the occasion, Deputy Commissioner Pulwama gave a detailed PowerPoint Presentation about financial achievements of the district during 2020-21 and plan highlights of 2021-22.

He informed the chair that during the year 2020-21, 1301 works were completed under different sectors in the district.

Some of the finished works, the meeting was informed, include vocational center at Krenchoo Pampore, Skill Development Center at Chakoora, lavatory block at Chandrigam Dadsara, Skill Development Center at Tumlahal among other works.

It was given out that a total of 10,308 works have been proposed sector-wise in the district for the year 2021-22 under CAPEX Budget, of which 1981 are ongoing works, 7763 are new works and 564 are non-construction works.

The meeting was also informed about the status of Back to Village (B2V) flagship programme, and it was given out that of 825 identified works, 456 were completed in Phase-I and II for which Rs 1381.85 lakh were spent out of Rs 24772 lakh estimated cost.

The meeting also provided targets, achievements and works taken in this financial year with respect to Jal Jeevan Mission, Power Development Department, PMGSY, MGNREGA, Youth Services & Sports and others.

While informing about the macdamization of roads, the DC informed the meeting that the district administration has macadamized 174.73 km last year and this year out of the target of 156.19 km, 46 km have been macadamized in the district.

The meeting was informed that out of 221 schemes taken by R&B Division Pulwama, 167 schemes were completed and Rs 15112.7 lakh were spent.

While giving information about COVID-19 management in the district, the DC informed that the district has 495 oxygen supported bed capacity for covid patients, of which 10 are ICU beds with current occupancy of 86 beds.

On the vaccination front, the Principal Secretary was informed that 1,27,586 vaccine doses have been administered till date and the inoculation is gaining pace and soon the district will achieve the target of 100 percent vaccination mark.

He stressed on the need to follow COVID-19 appropriate behaviour to keep the covid disease at bay so that the battle against the virus is taken to logical conclusion.

Kupwara: The collision between a bike and a load carrier left a person death and two critically injured in North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

The road accident occurred at Thokarpora area of Kralgund.

Official sources said that a load carrier (JK05J 8445) and bike collided resulting in on-spot death of a biker Jazib Ahmed Bhat of Langate.

Two others injured in this accident were evacuated in critical condition to hospital. They have been identified as Aamir Ahmed Bhat of Safalpora and Junaid Ramzan Ganaie, a resident of Behrampora.

Police in this regard registered a case under relevant sections of law. (KNT)