Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Dec 4: Chief Secretary, B V R Subrahmanyam today chaired a marathon meeting with Deputy Commissioners of all the districts along with their CMOs to kick off preparatory planning for the roll-out of COVID-19 vaccination for hassle-free and time-bound delivery of the vaccine across the Union Territory.

Administrative Secretaries of departments of Health & Medical Education, Housing & Urban Development, Information, Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir, Mission Director, National Health Mission (NHM) and Deputy Commissioners of all the districts along with concerned Chief Medical Officers (CMOs) were present at the meeting.

The meeting was informed that the COVID-19 vaccines are currently in the third phase of clinical trials and will be available for usage soon. It was also conveyed that to effectively deliver the vaccines at the grass-root level, all districts must undertake detailed micro-planning with regard to vaccination sites, cold chain storage points, and logistics requirements.

MD, NHM informed that currently, the database of prioritized groups of beneficiaries is being compiled with regard to healthcare workers both in government and private establishments, and frontline workers including armed forces, home guards, police, volunteers, municipal workers; who will be administered the vaccine in its initial stages. The next group that could be taken up for vaccination would comprise persons above the age of 50 years, and persons with co-morbidities followed by the remaining population. For this, a detailed survey would be needed for which the data from Swastha Nidhi survey is being retrieved which will then be augmented with the required additional data.

Further, it was informed that to carry out a dedicated COVID-19 vaccination drive, around 4,500 vaccinators are being identified across the UT with a capacity of administering 100 vaccines per site per day- cumulating to an impressive capacity to deliver 4.5 lakh vaccines a day.

Regarding the human resource requirement at each vaccination site, the Chief Secretary asked the Health department and district administrations to depute 2 trained vaccinators, 1 data operator, 1 record keeper, and 3 volunteers per site to ensure a well-coordinated and accessible vaccination drive.

Further, Chief Secretary directed DCs to ensure submission of micro plans for vaccination sites, cold chain storage points, and logistics requirements by 7th December, 2020. He said that the information regarding the number of vaccination sites, beneficiaries per site/vaccines required, the requirement of ancillary equipment such as vaccination boxes, syringes, ice packs, hub cutters, bio-waste disposable bags; must be worked out well in advance and be readily available with the health department.

Chief Secretary impressed upon the concerned that special efforts should be undertaken to ensure maintenance of the cold chain throughout the distribution channels. DCs were asked to calculate the requirement of Ice Lined Refrigerators (ILRs), deep freezers, large and small cold carrier boxes, and ice packs based on the number of storage points and vaccination sites identified for the purpose. “The efficiency of the vaccination drive will depend upon the accuracy of the micro-planning at district and block levels”, the Chief Secretary said.

The H&ME Department was asked to ensure that the existing arrangements for COVID-19 testing and routine immunization drives for children and pregnant women are not adversely affected by the COVID-19 related vaccination drive. The Department was advised to engage additional vaccinators among MBBS/BDS doctors/interns, staff nurses, auxiliary nursing midwives, pharmacists, and retired persons, besides training potential vaccinators.

Chief Secretary called for greater coordination between the frontline workers of various departments including health, social welfare, school education, rural development, and housing and urban development for conducting a successful vaccination drive.

Chief Secretary also emphasized the need for evolving a multi-sectoral response to the roll-out of the COVID-19 vaccine by involving NGOs, NCC, and other volunteers, besides maintaining open and transparent communication through a proactive IEC strategy to curb misinformation and rumors.

Total cases at 112,256; death toll mounts to 1,730 deaths

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, Dec 4: Jammu and Kashmir on Friday recorded 12 deaths due to COVID-19 taking the death toll to 1,730 in the Union Territory while 544 positive cases were reported taking the tally of positive cases to 112,256 in J&K.

Of the exact number of 112,256 cases, 66,794 are from Kashmir and 45,462 from Jammu division. Officials told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that among 544 new cases, 256 belong to Kashmir division while as 288 are from Jammu division, adding that the total number of positive cases in Kashmir division have reached to 66,794 including 63,051 recoveries and 1,119 deaths while as total number of positive cases in Jammu division have reached to 45,462 including 42,486 recoveries and 611 deaths.

The officials said that the total number of active cases in Jammu and Kashmir are 4,989 including 2,624 from Kashmir division and 2,365 from Jammu division.

With 647 more recoveries, the tally of total recoveries in Jammu and Kashmir has reached 105,537 which is 94.01 percent of the total cases.

“Cases tested positive in J&K include 118 from Srinagar, 29 from Baramulla, 37 from Budgam, 15 from Pulwama,   10 from Kupwara, 12 from Anantnag, 11 from Bandipora, 16 from Ganderbal, 02 from Kulgam and 06 from Shopian in Kashmir division while as 288 from Jammu division include 109 from Jammu, 24 from Rajouri, 51 from Udhampur, 15 from Doda, 13 from Kathua, 03 from Poonch, 23 from Samba, 27 from Kishtwar, 20 from Ramban and 03 from Reasi,” officials disclosed.

Notably, in the last 24 hours 12,persons who were tested positive for COVID-19 have died, among them four belong to Kashmir division and eight to Jammu division.

As per media bulletin, patients who have died include two from Srinagar, and one each from Budgam and Kupwara in Kashmir division and five from Jammu, two from Ramban and one from Doda in Jammu division.

As per officials figures, 23,499 positive cases including 425 deaths and 21,894 recoveries are from Srinagar, 7,551 including 163 deaths and 7,159 recoveries are from Baramulla, 7,045 including 6,672 recoveries and 102 deaths are from Budgam, 5,159 including 4,915 recoveries and 86 deaths are from Pulwama, 5,244 including 85 deaths and 4,944 recoveries are from Kupwara, 4,591 including 4,392 recoveries and 79 deaths are from Anantnag, 4,468 cases including 4,285 and 52 deaths are from Bandipora, 4,261 including 4,044 recoveries and 39 deaths are from Ganderbal, 2,608 including 2,496 recoveries and 51 deaths are from Kulgam and 2,368 including 2,250 recoveries and 37 deaths are from Shopian.

In Jammu division, 21,150 including 20,060 recoveries and 312 deaths are from Jammu district, 3,573 including 3,322 recoveries and 50 deaths are from Rajouri, 3,745 including 3,244 recoveries and 51 deaths are from Udhampur, 3,176 including 2,952 recoveries and 57 deaths are from Doda, 2,857 including 2,724 recoveries and 39 deaths are from Kathua, 2,402 including 2,329 recoveries and 22 deaths are from Poonch, 2,535 including 2,296 recoveries and 32 deaths are from Samba, 2,544 including 2,287 recoveries and 19 deaths are from Kishtwar, 1,976 including 1,861 recoveries and 20 deaths are from Ramban and 1,504 including 1,411 recoveries and 09 deaths are from Reasi.

As per the daily information bulletin, 798,644 persons in Jammu and Kashmir are under observation while 21,561 persons have been kept under home quarantine besides that 4,989 persons are in isolation.

According to the bulletin, 740,135 persons have completed surveillance period and 30,229 persons are under home surveillance besides that so far results of 3,121,260 samples are available.

Out of 3,121,260 the number of samples tested negative stands at 3,009,004 while as 112,256 have tested positive, among them 4,989 persons are active, 105,537 persons have recovered and 1,730 persons have died. (KNO)

Villages core of economic, social, political setup: LG Sinha

Jammu, Dec 4: “Villages are at the core of our economic, social, and political setup; they have had an immense role in our development in the last 73 years. With the development of villages, we hope to move from “GRAM UDAY” to “BHARAT UDAY”, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha made these remarks during his address at the 2nd State Conclave of Rashtriya Sarpanch Sansad, through virtual mode.
The conclave was organized by MIT School of Government (MIT), Pune. Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Sh. Nitin Gadkari; Founder, MIT School of Government, Sh. Rahul Karad and Sarpanches from across the country graced the virtual event.
The Lt Governor observed that the 3-tier Panchayati Raj system was non-existent in J&K. However, with the recent developments, we have made sure to add district-level Panchayati institutions to the village-level & block-level system. It is now the true form of grass-root democracy as existing in other parts of the country, said the Lt Governor.
After a deficit of good administration for decades, J&K is heading for a brighter future. Panchayats have a huge role to play in the developmental process. Only strong will, community participation, unity, and good governance can help us achieve the goal of developed villages, he added.
During the address, the Lt Governor said that Gandhi ji too believed in creating self-sufficient villages with self-governance. In this regard, we are geo-tagging a variety of village produce, installing food processing plants and threshers in villages, and providing tractors at subsidized rates to promote farm mechanization.
The Lt Governor also highlighted the recent interventions made by the J&K Government to fill gaps between peoples’ aspirations and delivery with the help of PRIs. All districts were provided Rs 2.5 crore and every Panchayat another Rs 10 lakh to finish incomplete works. Apart from this, every Panchayats have funds under MGNREGA and 14th FC.
He also underscored that Functions, Functionaries, Finance, and Framework help operate a Panchayat. The integrated approach to institutionalize and make it an integral part of our Panchayati Raj setup has been aptly exhibited by the Back to Village programmes.
Under the Back to Village programme, the officers visited villages, spoke to the public, and took the feedback of the on-ground development themselves. A framework was prepared under which different stages of Back to Village programme- Jan Abhiyan, Unnat Gram Abhiyan and Jan Sunvaai Abhiyan, were conducted. Wednesdays were designated for public outreach and promotion of governmental schemes under the initiative. During the period, the public was delivered with services like Aadhaar Cards, Kisan Credit Cards, JK Health Scheme Cards, MGNREGA wages, and many others, he maintained.
One of our motives was to provide employment opportunities to the village youth, and making a move ahead in the same direction; two youngsters were selected from every Panchayat and were provided with assistance by the administration for setting up their entrepreneurial project. We were positive that every one of them would provide employment opportunities to at least 8 other youth. We have exceeded our initial target of 8600 and finally provided assistance to over 12 thousand youth to set up their own businesses, said the Lt Governor.
A decision was taken under which every Panchayat was provided two large dustbins and sanitation workers designated under MGNREGA funds, sports kits, and playgrounds were provided to help nurture sporting talent in our villages. Similarly, more than 890 vacant government buildings were identified for use of Panchayats according to their needs. It is due to this action-based framework that we were able to complete more than 125 works, within 100 days, which were being delayed for over a decade, the Lt Governor affirmed.
Emphasizing on speedy redressal of public grievances, the Lt Governor observed that earlier there was no institutional mechanism for grievance redressal of the public. As such, we took the initiative of “LG’s Mulaqaat-Live Public Grievance Hearing” under which, every month, I meet individuals from across the UT, listen to their issues/concerns, and try solving them on the spot. During 21 days of Jan Abhiyaan, 20 thousand, out of 40 thousand grievances were redressed on spot, while much of the rest have also been redressed in a time-bound manner. Women are also being empowered and are already participating in Panchayats’ functioning actively.
We are going to launch a web portal for a live review of projects in remote Panchayats. It will help in monitoring all Panchayats of the UT, he maintained. J&K is number one among all the States and UTs as far as performance in PMGSY is concerned. In first of its kind initiative, the Government has extended Rs 5 lakh of Health Insurance without any discrimination. Many such initiatives have been taken by the UT Government aimed at meeting the aspirations of the people, said the Lt Governor.

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Dec 4: In yet another move to provide effective public delivery service at people’s doorsteps, Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha today launched 12 online services of Transport Department here at Raj Bhavan.
The Lt Governor also launched the e-book of the department elucidating the different services being provided to the people, besides the procedures for applying for the same to facilitate the general public.

Speaking on the occasion, the Lt Governor congratulated the Transport Department for this people-friendly initiative. With this initiative of electronic service delivery, there will be a reduction in public interface with department officials ensuring hassle-free services to the people in a transparent & accountable manner, he added.
Terming faceless, paperless and cashless services as the first step towards ‘Good Governance’, the Lt Governor said that we have introduced a new era of transparent governance in the transport sector.
Laying special focus on easing out the public delivery system in the Transport sector, the Lt Governor observed that the services like getting a ‘route permit’ or ‘procuring a learners license’ will also become a lot easier with the launch of these online services. The issuance and renewal of the trade certificates of Automobile dealers of Jammu and Kashmir has also been made transparent and simplified through online mode.
Pertinently, Dealer-Point Facilitation of registration of the Non-Commercial vehicles in the UT of J&K by the Department has been widely hailed by the general public. Similarly, online services were launched to facilitate people with smooth and hassle-free services.
The Lt Governor stressed upon the need to make adoption of e-services wider and the prevalent way of providing services to the common man.
Highlighting the progress being made by Jammu and Kashmir in the transport sector, since 2015, the Lt Governor said that in March 2016, the number of drivers’ license holders crossed the 10 lakh mark for the first time. At that time, the number of registered commercial vehicles crossed the 2 lakh mark. At present, the number of all categories of registered vehicles in Jammu & Kashmir is well above 20 lakh.
“I believe investments in roads infrastructure and transport facilities can help maximize the benefits of overall growth scenario. Road network transports more than 60% of all goods in the country and 85% of India’s total passenger traffic. Jammu and Kashmir has become number one in Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana and our dream of linking each and every village with all-weather roads will soon turn into reality”, said the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor entrusting upon J&K Road Transport Corporation the expansion of their fleet of buses, and hoped that the government-run buses traverse 20 lakh Kms every month, increasing from its present average of 15 lakh Kms a month.
Further, the Lt Governor highlighted the four key measures initiated by the UT, in this regard, and said that by March 2021, 44 seater semi-deluxe buses, 20 seater deluxe buses, sleeper coaches and trucks are to be added to the fleet. Two major projects- the Institute of Driving Training and Research at Kot Bhalwal and the Inspection & Certification Centre at Samba will also be completed by March 2021. Inspection of accident cases, the fitness of commercial vehicles and training would become streamlined and expedited with the start of these two projects, he added.
The scheme, launched to mitigate the losses faced by the transport sector due to the COVID pandemic, has been implemented on the ground, after the announcement in September this year. We have provided assistance with respect to Insurance premium subject to a maximum of Rs.5000 per vehicle for buses/mini-buses, Rs.3000 for Taxis/Sumos, and Rs. 2000 for three-wheelers. We are also extending 50% subsidy or Rs.5 Lakh whichever is lower to the transporters for replacement of old buses, he continued.

Reiterating the Government’s commitment to provide sustainable livelihood to unemployed youth, the Lt Governor observed that a scheme ‘Mumkin’ has been launched under which youth are being provided zero margin money to procure mini-commercial vehicles.

In the first phase, J&K Government partnered with Ashok Leyland and delivered 10 such vehicles. Talks are on with the Tata Group in the same regard and they have also shown interest in implementing the scheme thereby helping develop the transport sector as well in providing employment avenues to the youth, he added.

The Lt Governor observed that the J&K Government is taking several measures to make the Transport sector in J&K more robust. J&K Taxi Aggregator Rules were notified in October this year and a detailed plan was made to provide 24×7 taxi services to the public. Uber has also shown interest in providing their services in Jammu and Srinagar cities. He also laid special emphasis on prompt redressal of all grievances with respect to the app-based taxi services.

The services launched today include- Issuance of duplicate Registration Certificate, Change of address in Registration Certificate and Renewal of Route Permits under e-Vahan Services; Issuance of Learners License, Extension / Renewal of Learners License, issuance of Driving License, Renewal of Driving License, Issuance of Duplicate Driving License, Replacement of Driving License and Change of particulars in Driving License under e-Sarathi Services; and Issuance of new Trade Certificate to Motor Vehicle Dealers and Renewal of Trade Certificate of Motor Vehicle Dealers under e-Trade Certificate services.

Rajeev Rai Bhatnagar, Advisor to the Lt Governor; BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor; Hirdesh Kumar, Commissioner/Secretary to the Government, Transport Department; Sanjeev Verma, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu; Pandurang K. Pole, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir; representatives of Transporter associations, dealers and officials of Transport Department were present on the occasion, in person and through virtual mode.

Calls for taking advantage of technology for better power supply, revenue realization

Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 4: Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, Rohit Kansal, today chaired a meeting convened to review the progress of various projects being carried out for augmentation of power sector and strengthening IT and Communication Divisions of J&K PDD here at Civil Secretariat.
The meeting discussed various aspects and issues related to implementation of Information Technology in JKPDD, status and progress achieved for various ongoing projects under RAPDRP, SCADA/DMS, RT-DAS, installation of smart metering, AMC, consumer friendly customer care service and measures undertaken for feeder management and billing issues.
Addressing the meeting, Rohit Kansal called for taking advantage of modern technology in power sector to improve the power supply across Jammu and Kashmir. He stressed upon Engineers to develop consumer friendly information technology modules for generation and timely delivery of power bills to ensure target revenue realization.

Kansal asked the engineers to expedite all ongoing projects and ensure their timely completion for the public benefit. He directed the concerned to accelerate ground work for installation of smart meters and other projects across Jammu and Kashmir. He also stressed upon the concerned to focus on strengthening of IT Cell of both the divisions for prompt disposal of the public complaints regarding power supply, electricity bills and other related issues.
On the occasion, Principal Secretary was informed that several measures have been taken up to improve the power supply besides timely generation and delivery of power bills and it was assured that the same will be further improved.
While taking review of ongoing projects and progress made under various schemes, the meeting was informed that the works taken up in the twin districts under various schemes are at different stages of completion.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Managing Director, KPDCL, Mohammad Aijaz, Secretary (Tech) Bashir Ahmad Dar, Chief Engineer (CE) (Distribution) Aijaz Ahmad Dar, CE Transmission Hashmat Qazi, CE Projects Javed Yousuf and CE, M.Y Baba, besides, Nodal officer, Smart metering, CEO, IT&C Bemina.
Meanwhile, Principal Secretary inspected Customer Care Solution Center/Data Center, Bemina and took stock of its functioning.
While interacting with the Engineers and Customer care Executives, Rohit Kansal stressed upon them to work with added zeal and dedication to ensure prompt and effective public delivery system.

New Delhi, Dec 4: Union Minister for Minority Affairs Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi on Friday said that Waqf Boards will be established soon in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladhakh for the first time since the Independence .
The process of establishing the Waqf Boards has started, he added.
After chairing a Central Waqf Council meeting in New Delhi, Mr Naqvi, in a statement, said that Waqf Boards will be established in Jammu-Kashmir and Leh-Kargil for the first time since the Independence and it has become possible only after abolition of Article 370.
The Union Minister said that Waqf Boards will ensure proper utilisation of Waqf properties in Jammu-Kashmir and Leh-Kargil for welfare of the society. The Central Government will provide adequate financial assistance to construct infrastructure for socio-economic and educational activities on Waqf properties in Jammu-Kashmir and Leh-Kargil under ‘Pradhanmantri Jan Vikas Karykram’ (PMJVK).

Naqvi said that there are thousands of Waqf properties in Jammu-Kashmir and Leh-Kargil and the process has been started to register these Waqf properties. Digitisation, Geo Tagging/GPS Mapping of these Waqf properties has also been initiated and the work will be completed soon.

He further said that, in today’s meeting, while taking a serious note of bungling and encroachment of Waqf properties by Waqf Mafias in several states, the state governments have been asked to take strict action against such Waqf mafias. A team of Central Waqf Council will visit these states in this regard.

Naqvi said schools, colloges, “Hunar Hub” and other employment-oriented skill development centres would be established on the Waqf land in Jammu-Kashmir and Leh-Kargil under (PMJVK) to generate employment opportunities.
“Just like other parts of the country; the Central Government will construct schools, colleges, ITIs, polytechnics, girls hostels, hospitals, multi-purpose community hall “Sadbhav Mandap”, “Hunar Hub”, common service centres, employment-oriented skill development centres and other basic infrastructure on Waqf land in Jammu- Kashmir and Leh-Kargil under “Pradhanmantri Jan Vikas Karykram” (PMJVK). These basic infrastructure will ensure quality education for needy especially girls and employment opportunities to the youths,” the Union Minister said.

Naqvi said that for the first time since the Independence, Prime Minister Narendra Modi led Government is providing 100 per cent funding to develop schools, colleges, ITIs, polytechnics, girls hostels, hospitals, multi-purpose community hall “Sadbhav Mandap”, “Hunar Hub”, common service centres, employment-oriented skill development centres and other basic infrastructure on Waqf land under “Pradhanmantri Jan Vikas Karykram” in those backward areas across the country which had been deprived of these basic facilities.

Naqvi said that while only 90 districts of the country had been identified for Minority communities’ development earlier; Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expanded development programmes for Minorities in 308 districts, 870 blocks, 331 towns and thousands of the villages of the country.
Naqvi further said that about 6 lakh 64,000 registered Waqf properties are there across the country. Digitisation of all the state Waqf boards has been completed. Geo Tagging/GPS Mapping of Waqf properties is being done on war footing. Thirty-two state Waqf Boards have been provided video conferencing facilities.

Naqvi said that during last about 6 years, the Modi Government has developed socio-economic-educational and employment-oriented infrastructure across the country in Minority concentrated areas. These projects include: 1527 New School Buildings; 22877 Additional Class Rooms; 646 Hostels; 163 Residential Schools, 9217 Smart Class Rooms (including those in Kendriya Vidyalayas); 32 Colleges; 95 ITIs; 13 Polytechnics; 6 Navodaya Vidyalayas; 403 Multi-purpose community centre “Sadbhav Mandap”; 574 Market Sheds; 2842 toilet and water facilities; 140 Common Service Centres; 22 Working Women Hostels; 1926 Health Projects; 5 Hospitals; 8 Hunar Hub; 14 various sports facilities, 6014 Anganwadi Centres.

Srinagar, Dec 4: Government of India Friday handed over investigations into the recent Nagrota encounter case to National Investigation Agency (NIA), official sources said.
A senior official told KNO that NIA has registered an FIR after getting case details from the J&K police. “Yes we have taken up the investigations of recent Nagrota encounter,” the NIA official said.
On November 19, an encounter took place at Ban Toll Naka in Nagrota, Jammu in which four Jaish-e-Muhammad militants were killed. Security forces had recovered huge quantity of arms and ammunition from the slain militants, who were travelling in a truck and were intercepted by the police at a Naka point. (KNO)

GoI announces 50% subsidy for carriage, storage in cold stores
Precious Kashmir News
Srinagar, Dec 4: In a major relief to apple growers of J&K, 50 percent of transport from cold chains or orchards to markets and storage in cold chains would be borne by the Government.
Director Horticulture Kashmir Aijaz Ahmed Bhat said Prime Minister has waived off all early riders of the scheme for extending greater benefit to the farmer.
“This is historical and beneficial order for apple growers, no binding in quantity, distance and rate now. All growers qualify for storage and transport subsidy @50 percent.”
He said now under atam Nirbar Bharat Abhiyan 2nd, farmers can claim for transport and storage subsidy in cold stores.
“This policy by GOI is only for Apple,& for J&K. Horticulture/NAFED is designated as Nodal agency for its implementation,” he said.
According to Director Horticulture, that it was a long pending demand of the growers and would go long way in fetching them better returns of their produce.
The Horticulture Director has issued guidelines to district officers for registration of the orchardists in their respective areas.
Meanwhile Director Horticulture today convened a meeting, which was attended by S. K. Singh, Additional Managing Director-NAFED, New Delhi.
The meeting was attended by CA Store Owners Association, Members of Fruit Growers Association, Fruit Growers and the Officers of Horticulture Department.

Srinagar, Dec 4: The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg and other upper reaches received fresh snowfall while skies were cloudy in plains in Kashmir valley on Friday, resulting in chilly weather conditions.
However, the night temperature improved and settled above normal across the valley, where there is prediction of wet weather during 48 days.
The border town of Kargil was the coldest place in the region at minus 8.2 degree, followed by Leh where the mercury settled at minus 7 degree.
A Met department spokesperson told UNI a fresh Western Disturbance (WD), which originated from the Arabian Sea and approached the region through Afghanistan and Pakistan, has hit the region on Friday.
He said under the influence of the WD, light snow is expected at isolated to scattered places of Kashmir and Zojila area of Ladakh on Friday and Saturday. “Weather is expected to be dry on Sunday,” he added.
However, he said there is more than 70 per cent chance of fresh spell of light to moderate snow at many places of Kashmir, Drass and Zojila on December 7 and December 8, adding this spell seems to be weaker than the previous once but could lead to temporary closure of Srinagar-Leh highway.
Much to the delight of the tourists, Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, received a brief spell of light snowfall in the afternoon, resulting in further dip in the maximum temperature. Kongdori and Apharwat, the highest point of the cable car project in Gulmarg, also received light snowfall. “Despite chilly weather conditions and brief snowfall, the tourists are out on ski slopes, which are already covered under several feet of snow, enjoying different activities,” a hotelier told UNI over the phone.
The mercury at the ski resort improved marginally and settled at minus 2.2 degree, which is slightly above normal.
People woke up to a chilly and cloudy Friday morning in the summer capital, Srinagar, where the night temperature improved marginally and settled at minus 1.2 degree, which is slightly degree below normal. The chilly weather conditions continued in the city throughout the day due to cloudy skies coupled with ice cold winds. Auto-drivers and mechanics had burned wood early in the morning on roadsides to keep themselves warm in the city, where people are forced to use traditional means of heating due to frequent power cuts.