Death toll mounts to 1651, total cases at 107330
Nadeem Nadu
Srinagar, Nov 24: Jammu and Kashmir reported ten more COVID-19 deaths in the last 24-hours, while 431 more people tested positive for the pestilence, officials said on Tuesday.
They said that death toll due to COVID-19 in the Union Territory has mounted to 1651, while 107330 people have tested positive for the virus in J&K till date.
Among the victims who died today six were from Kashmir and four from Jammu division, the official added.
Those from the Valley include a 70-year-old woman from Uri Baramulla, a 64-year-old from Imam Sahib Shopian and a 60-year-old man from Bogund Kulgam besides three from Srinagar—a 69-year-old man from Zaina Kadal, a 60-year-old from Shuhama and a 79-year-old Tengpora.
The victims from Jammu division include one resident each from the winter capital of the J&K, Udhampur, Doda and Samba.
With these deaths, the total fatality count in the Valley has reached 1085 and 566 in the Jammu region.
Srinagar district with 408 deaths tops the list followed by Jammu (292), Baramulla (160), Budgam (99), Pulwama (86), Kupwara (81), Anantnag (77), Doda (53), Bandipora(50), Kulgam (50), Rajouri (49), Udhampur (43), Ganderbal (37), Shopian (37), Kathua (35), Samba (27), Poonch (22), Ramban (18), Kishtwar(16), and Reasi (9).

J&K reports 431 new cases

Meanwhile, sixteen travelers, eight soldiers and two minors were among 431 fresh COVID-19 cases reported in Jammu and Kashmir in last 24 hours, taking the total count to 107330.
Of them, 253 were from Jammu Division and 178 from Kashmir Division, officials said.
Giving district-wise details, they said, Srinagar reported 84, Baramulla 18, Budgam 16, Pulwama 19, Kupwara 14, Anantnag 2, Bandipora 7, Ganderbal 12, Kulgam 3, Shopian 3, Jammu 122, Rajouri 3, Udhampur 37, Doda 14, Kathua 9, Poonch 11, Samba 17, Kishtwar 16, Ramban 18 and Reasi 6.
A number of the cases were confirmed at SKIMS Soura and CD hospitals diagnostic laboratories including four from BB Cantt Srg, three from BSF and one from CRPF besides two minors.
The CD cases include four males (37, 29, 47, 37) from BB Cantt Sgr, male (48) from Broadway Batwara, male (40) from Kailashpora, male (70) from Natipora, female (80) from NA, male (54) from Habbak Srg, male (24) from Dalgate Srg, four males (70, 67, 85, 82) from NA, female (68) from Soura Srg, two females (70, 42) from Zoonimar Srg, male (24) from Chadoora, male (42) from Rajbagh, two males (65, 33) from Srinagar, female (08) from Dar Mohalla Padshahi Bagh, male (32) from Pampore, male (68) from Nowshera Srg, male (30) from Lasjan, female (28) from Nowhatta, male (35) from Barzulla Srg, male (29) from Habak Srg, male (26) from Chanapora Srg, two males (NA, NA) from Habakadal Srg, female (60) from Nowpora Srg, male (21) from Dalgate Srg, female (55) from Gogjibagh Srg, male (NA) from Baghat Srg, female (55) from G G Bal Srg, female (29) from Natipora, male (32) from Noorbagh, female (29) from Fatehkadal, male (45) from Nichama, male (51) from M Chogal, female (35) from Yaroo, male (37) from Handwara, male (45) from Trehgam, female (72) from Kantpora Kupwara, male (64) from Potushai Lolab, male (NA) from Sumbal, female (70) from Chattabal, female (45) from Chadoora Budgam, female (50) from Kudaram Bandipora, female (58) from Nishat Srg, female (35) from Srinagar, male (50) from Handwara Kupwara, female (68) from Dalgate Srg, male (55) from Hyderpora Srg, male (40) from Nawabazar Srg, male (35) from Rahmoo, female (56) from Tral.
The SKIMS cases include three males (47, 30, 32) from Ch BSF Humhama Srinagar, Budgam cases include male (44) from Sdh Beerwah, female (35) from Aripathan Beerwah, male (30) from Gulshanabad, male (45) from Wazhbagh, female (40) from Sanzipora Chattergam, female (70) from Gowherpora Chadoora, female (26) from Gopalpora Chadoora, two females (22, 42) from Raiyar, male (40) from Ichgam, two males (46, 40) from Housing Colony Ompora, female (60) from Bye Pass Nowgam, two males (55, 24) and female (55) from Madina Colony B K Pora, female (50) from Ari Bagh Nowgam, two males (30, 61) from Sheikhulalam Colony Nowgam, male (55) from S K Bagh Nowgam, female (35) from B K Pora Kanipora Near Petrol Pump, male (20) from S K Bagh Nowgam, female (47) from Lasjan, male (26) from Budgam, female (41) from Khag, female (65) from Wani Mohalla Narbal, male (01) from Bonzilla Gam Budgam, female (60) from Sumbal Bandipora, the male (32) from 144 Bn CRPF Dabar Hotel Srinagar, male (45) from Takya Khalamulla Alusteng, two males (36, 65) from Fatehpora, male (65) from Bambloora Ganderbal, male (50) from Lar, male (30) from Alusteng, female (25) from Wussan, male (70) from Saloora Ganderbal, male (48, 43) from Kathidarwaza Rainawari, male (64) from Parimpora, male (30) from Peerbagh, male (30) from Malabagh, male (44) from Peerbagh, male (32) from Burzahama, male (25) from Mughal, male (47) from Baghat, female (48) from Skims Soura, female (33) from Hawal, male (64) from Natipora, female (35) from Hawal, female (32) from Shalimar, male (38) from Chanapora, male (46) and female (44) from Soura, male (29) from Qamarwari, male (28) and female (21) from Kanitar, female (53) from Buchpora, male (50) from Shalteng, male (56) from Lal Bazar, male (70) from Lal Bazar, female (80) from Hawal, female (65) from Qamarwari, male (63) from Alamgarib Srinagar and male (38) from West Bengal Anantnag.
Moreover, they said, 495 more COVID-19 patients have recovered and discharged from various hospitals 220 from Jammu Division and 275 from Kashmir Valley. (GNS)

New Delhi, Nov 24: Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned on Tuesday that any COVID-19 vaccine could lead to side-effects in some people, as even popular medicines do, and that the government would only go by science in finalising one for the country.
The comments came ahead of the possible launch of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine by early next year in India, the country with the world’s second-highest number of coronavirus infections after the United States.
The question of who pays any claims for damages for unexpected side-effects has been a tricky point in supply negotiations between countries and drug makers over potential vaccines. Some richer countries have agreed full or partial exemptions from liability for firms to secure shots.
The officials have not commented on who would be held responsible if any vaccine led to serious unwanted consequences. Brazil has said it will not exempt vaccine makers from liability, but Mexico could share some of the burden with laboratories.
PM Modi said both speed and safety were equally important in launching a vaccine, but that, once established scientific processes had determined the right path, India would follow it.
“Even medicines popular for 20 years and used by hundreds of thousands of people lead to reactions in some, even today,” PM Modi said in a video conference with the chief ministers.
“It’s possible with vaccines too. Any decision on them should only be weighed on a scientific scale. Whatever vaccine makes it through the world’s certified processes, we will have to accept them and move ahead.”
PM Modi said it was not yet known which vaccine would be launched in India and at what price, but urged states to work with the government to keep distribution infrastructure such as cold storages ready.
After the AstraZeneca vaccine’s third-stage trial results were revealed on Monday, the Serum Institute of India said it would first focus on supplying its home market in the next few months.
The other experimental vaccines on trial in India are the government and Bharat Biotech’s COVAXIN; Russia’s Sputnik-V; Zydus Cadila’s ZyCoV-D and lastly one that Biological E. Ltd is developing with Baylor College of Medicine and Dynavax Technologies Corp.

India on Tuesday recorded 37,975 new infections, taking the total to 9.18 million. Deaths rose by 480, with the total now at 134,218.

New Delhi, Nov 24: India reported 37,975 new cases of novel coronavirus in the last 24 hours, taking the total number of infections in the country to 91,77,841, as per Union Health Ministry data on Tuesday.
Besides, 480 people died due to the virus pushing the fatality count to 1,34,218 till date.
On a positive front, 42,314 people recovered from the disease, taking the overall recoveries to 86,04,955. Meanwhile, the country’s recovery rate is 93.75 per cent. The number of active cases was below 5 lakh.
On Monday, the country registered 44,059 COVID cases and 511 deaths.

Mercury remains below normal across J&K amid more rains, snow
Srinagar, Nov 24: Weatherman on Tuesday predicted dry weather from November 26 (Thursday) in Kashmir even as mercury continued to remain below normal amid more rains and snowfall across Jammu and Kashmir.

“There is possibility of widespread light to moderate rain/snow in Kashmir and fairly wide spread light rain, snow, thunder squalls In Jammu division in next 24 hours,” a weather office officials told GNS.

However, the official said that that there would be “mainly dry weather” from November 26.

Meanwhile, Kashmir valley received intermittent snowfall and rains for the second day today. Official sources said higher reaches accumulated moderate to heavy snowfall in last 24 hours. Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir, and Pahalgam, the world famous tourist resort, witnessed about six inches of fresh snowfall during the night. Most of the plains received intermittent rains with Srinagar recording o.3 mm of rain from 8:30 hours to 1730 hours. The maximum temperature in the summer capital of the J&K was 5.8 degrees Celsius, 8 degree below the normal for this time of the year.

Regarding other places, the officials said that Qazigund recorded 6.3°C (8°C BN), Pahalgam 3.0°C (8°C BN), Kupwara 2.9°C (11°C BN), Kokernag 5.3°C (6°C BN), Gulmarg 0.0°C (7°C BN), Anantnag 5.0°C, Shopian 3.9°C, Khudwani 7.6°C, Bandipora 3.5°C, Budgam 4.6°C, Ganderbal 4.1°C, Pulwama 8.1°C, Kulgam 4.8°C, Jammu 20.0°C (5°C BN), Banihal 6.4°C (11°C BN), Batote 7.1°C (10°C BN), Katra 17.2°C (5°C BN), Bhaderwah 8.9°C (9°C BN),

Bakore 20.7°C, Udhampur 18.0°C, Kathua 23.9°C, Kishtwar 4.8°C, Ramban 13.1°C, Poonch 8.1°C and Samba 20.5°C.

Meanwhile Mughal road, connecting Shopian and Poonch district, and Srinagar-Leh road was closed for traffic for the second day due to the accumulation of snow.

Meanwhile a traffic department officials said that in view of inclement weather prediction issued by MeT department, there are chances of blockade of Jammu-Srinagar highway, the only surface link connecting Kashmir valley with the rest of the world. “People are advised to avoid journey on Jammu-Srinagar highway.”

“However, subject to fair weather and better road condition, Light Motor Vehicles (passenger) shall be allowed from Srinagar towards Jammu the highway.”

Faizan Wani

Srinagar, Nov 24: Former Chief Minister, Dr Farooq Abdullah who also heads People’s Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) Tuesday urged people to cast their votes in favour of alliance candidates.
NC President, who along with his son and party vice-president Omar Abdullah is undergoing self-isolation after a member of the household staff at their residence tested positive for Corona-Virus appealed people to make PAGD win in forthcoming District Development Council (DDC) elections by a huge margin.
Abdullah asked people not to vote for any party or individual in DDC election other than the alliance, which he said was formed to safeguard identity of Jammu and Kashmir and to restore its constitutional rights.

He also cautioned people against casting their vote in favor of some vested interest elements who ‘masquerade’ as alliance candidates but are its ‘enemies’ in reality.
“My dear countrymen, since trumpet for DDC election has blown, I seek your support and want you to make alliance candidates win this election by a huge margin, I appeal you to kindly cast your votes in favor PAGD candidates and not any particular party or individual,” Farooq said in his one minute and 21 seconds long video message to people.
The former Chief Minister also said the alliance partners have taken a stand to keep the nation united so that whatever was snatched from them on August 5, 2019 is restored.
“This alliance was formed to safeguard the identity of Jammu and Kashmir and restore statehood and Article 370. We have assembled to keep this nation united, hence we appeal you to come out in large number on the day of election and make PAGD win,” Farooq added.