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Rain lashes Valley, snowfall in upper reaches
Water level rises in major streams; power supply disrupted
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Emergency services on alert to prevent flood
Rain leaves city roads inundated
Awareness programmes to mark Fire Service Week
Non-functional ATMs give tough time to residents
FAIMER fellowship bestowed on GMC doc
Body found in Awantipora
2 injured in road accidents
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Rain lashes Valley, snowfall in upper reaches
Anantnag, April 16 The Meteorological Department has predicted improvement in weather by tomorrow. “There is a possibility of rain on April 20 and 21,” said an official of the department. The unexpected snowfall is likely to cause more damage to the apple blossom in Shopian district, after a strong hailstorm on Sunday evening caused severe damage. At least 15 villages were hit by the strong hailstorm in Shopian district destroying the apple blossom. “The losses are huge,” Shopian District Horticulture Officer Farooq Ahmad Mirza said. “A preliminary stock of the situation has revealed losses ranging between 20 and 80 per cent in some cases,” he said. The worst-hit areas, according to reports, have been Ranipora, Khasipora, Pratap Pora, Matribugh, Zaipora and Talupora. “In these areas, the devastation is of large scale and nearly 80 per cent of the apple blossom has been damaged by the hailstorm,” Mirza had said. He said other villages, including Dangam, Wangam, Chakoora, Ratnipora, Hajipoa, Gehan and some other villages had mild damages to the
apple blossom. According to the Horticulture Department, they will have to carry out yet another survey to ascertain the damage caused by the snowfall. Meanwhile, normal life was hit across the south Kashmir region after heavy rains continued to lash throughout the day, flooding the already dilapidated roads. Reports said the Khannabal-Srinagar stretch of the national highway was the worst hit by the heavy downpour. “The road is already in a shambles and the heavy downpour flooded the road at several places, including Sangam, Barsoo, Khannabal, Bijbehara and many other places,” the reports said. Traffic remained halted for hours at a stretch along the Sangam area in Anantnag district. In Anantnag town, the bus stand and other places were waterlogged, causing a lot of inconvenience to the people, especially pedestrians, who were unable to negotiate the flooded roads. Almost all of the ATM machines in Anantnag district went defunct in the wake of heavy downpour, causing inconvenience to the general public. “I was in dire need of money and have been trying different ATMs since morning but to no avail,” said Sajad Ahmad, a local resident. “ATMs belonging to different banks have been rendered defunct since morning.” Bank officials said satellite disturbance was caused by the continuous rains throughout the Valley. More rain expected
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Water level rises in major streams; power supply disrupted
Kupwara, April 16 Residents of many villages in Handwara and Kupwara said they were groping in the dark since late last night. “The power supply was snapped due to windstorm followed by rainfall late last evening. The supply has not been restored,” said Tariq Ahmad of Mawar, Handwara. The rains have raised the water level in the major rivers, including Jhelum, Kehmil, Pohru, Mawar and Warnow nullah. Residents of low-lying Bohipora village said the water level in Kehmil nullah had increased considerably due to rains. They demanded that a protection bundh be raised on the banks of the nullah to avoid flooding of the low-lying village. “A protection bundh on the banks of the nullah is necessary to save the village from devastation. We have made several representations to the district administration in this regard but our pleas have been ignored time and again,” said Fayaz Ahmad Malik, a resident of Bohipora. Several villages had witnessed floods in 2004 and 2009 in Kupwara district. Thousands of kanals were washed away due to floods, local residents said. Another resident said, “Hundreds of kanals had been washed away due to floods and property damaged in the past but the authorities continue to ignore our problems. The village is reeling under severe threat of floods due to incessant rains.” A senior official of the administration in Kupwara said there was no need to panic as the water level was not alarmingly high in the major rivers across the district. The bus stand in Kupwara was submerged in water due to rain. Reports said the upper reaches in north Kashmir received heavy rainfall. In Kupwara, pedestrians had to face a lot of problems in traversing the waterlogged streets, lanes and bylanes in Handwara and Kupwara. Residents of many Handwara and Baramulla villages said a flood threat was looming large due to incessant rains. People complained that drains were ill-maintained and even little rain created a lot of problems for them. “We face great difficulties while walking through the waterlogged streets and lanes. The drains are so ill-maintained that rainwater overflows, making the movement difficult,” said Abdul Hamid of Bakikar, Handwara. |
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Emergency services on alert to prevent flood
Srinagar, April 16 Chairing a meeting of the District Disaster Management Committee, he called for taking precautionary measures to prevent loss of life and property in case of floods. For the purpose, people have been
asked to intimate the Police Control Room on phone no. 01931-260160 in case of emergency. The Fire and Emergency Services Department has been directed to keep its men and machinery in a state of complete readiness. The Assistant Director concerned was asked to remain in touch with the Mountaineering Division, Pahalgam, for securing their assistance in case the need arises. The Executive Engineer of the Flood Control Division has been asked to deploy its field staff at the flood monitoring points as well as in flood-prone areas for monitoring water flow in the rivers and share the data with the nodal officer for appropriate measures. Chief Medical Officer has been directed to keep medical teams and necessary medicines ready, while the Executive Engineer of the Public Health Engineering Department has been asked to ensure chlorination of water to prevent outbreak of diseases following likelihood of contamination of drinking water resources. The Power Development Department has been asked to keep generators in fit condition for use in any evacuation operation. |
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Rain leaves city roads inundated
Srinagar, April 16 Rains started across the region since Monday evening and continued through most of the day today. An official of the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) said it pressed dozens of de-watering pumping units into service throughout the city. The official said that in addition to 72 permanent de-watering stations, the SMC pressed 38 more mobile pumping units at various locations of the city, including Hamdania Colony, Bemina, Chanapora, Peerbagh, Lal Nagar, Aali Masjid, Bakshi Stadium, Kothibagh, Samandar Bagh, SP College, Palpora, Shalteng, Goripora, Rawalpora and at Mehjoor Nagar. An official of the state Meteorological Department said the city received 31.3 mm rainfall today. The official said 14.2 mm rain was recorded in the city during last night. Gulmarg resort in north Kashmir and Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir also received fresh snowfall, the official said. The state weather department in its forecast said light to moderate rainfall will continue in the region for next 24 hours. Director of state Meteorological Department, Sonum Lotus said weather condition was likely to improve after Wednesday. |
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tt championship
Srinagar, April 16 While the Valley witnessed incessant rainfall since last night, inclement weather conditions took toll on the national tournament as heavy rain drops could be felt at a few places in the stadium here today. At the time when Minister for Medical Education, Sports and Youth Services Taj Mohiuddin, along with other dignitaries, declared the championship open and when hundreds of players and spectators were present, raindrops kept falling. A bucket was kept to collect raindrops just near the veteran table tennis players, who had lined up at the inaugural function. A few seats meant for spectators also got wet due to rain. Even though the inaugural function passed smoothly, the raindrops falling from the roof of the stadium were noticed by all. “We are happy playing here but the authorities should have taken preemptive measures as rainfall during a national tournament is bound to cause embarrassment,” said a participating player. While workers were seen mopping the floor and chairs, the organisers were also seen making calls and discussing the matter with each other. Ajay Sharma, who is the secretary of the J&K Table Tennis Association, which is organising the tournament, said a few workers had been deployed to repair the rooftop of Indoor Stadium to ensure that the same does not happen in case of further rainfall. A total of 979 players and 80 officials are taking part in the championship that is scheduled to conclude on April 20. |
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Master plan for Gulmarg on cards
Srinagar, April 16 The high court had last week sought personal appearance of Chief Secretary Mohammad Iqbal Khanday, but he had sought exemption from it on the ground that he was to attend a meeting in Delhi. The Gulmarg Development Authority, which looks after the overall development of the resort, was pulled up by the high court last week and it was directed to furnish the details about all structures raised in Gulmarg. “We have submitted details and are in process of framing a master plan for Gulmarg,” the GDA report said. The high court had already restrained all the subordinate courts and tribunals from passing any orders with regard to the issues raised in the PIL. The PIL was filed by Mohammad Rafiq Zargar through advocate Mian Abdul Qayoom in the
high court. The HC is likely to pass directions in the case on April 1. |
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Awareness programmes to mark Fire Service Week
Srinagar, April 16 “The Fire Service Day was observed yesterday as a tribute to those brave firemen who sacrificed their lives while safeguarding life and property of public. The main aim of the week is to make public aware of fire prevention and precautionary measures,” said the official. He said a number of programmes would be held throughout the week for mass public awareness at the district headquarters. On the Fire Service Day, a function was held at Fire and Emergency Services headquarters here yesterday, where the Director-General, Fire and Emergency Services, J&K, Dr GA Bhat, was the chief guest. Speaking on the occasion, Bhat elaborated on the importance of the week and laid stress on making the masses, especially youth and schoolchildren, aware of fire prevention and fire protection measures, keeping in view the present day population growth, rapid urbanisation and unplanned mushrooming of residential and commercial areas. Bhat said the department had been equipped with the state-of-the-art and sophisticated appliances and equipment like imported aerial ladder platforms of 42m height with 500 kg cage capacity that could be used for rescue and fire fighting, quick response vehicles with water mist technology, motorcycle mounted water mist systems, imported search and rescue equipment like hydraulic cutters, combi-tools, pneumatic lifting bags, rescue rams, diamond chain saws and imported portable fire pumps. He said 100 officials and jawans of the department were imparted training in leading training colleges outside the state, including National Fire Service College, Nagpur, for search rescue and fire fighting. |
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Promotion of Kashmiri priority of state government, says Vikar Rasool
Srinagar, April 16 “Concrete measures have been taken for the said purpose,” said Rasool, while releasing ‘Sherbasch’, authored by Rohi Jan at Doordarshan Kendra Studio, Srinagar, here today. Director, School Education, Kashmir, Mohammad Shafi Rather, Deputy Director General, Doordarshan Kendra, Srinagar, Qayoom Wadera, Dr Aziz Hajni, Prof Iqbal Nazki, Prof Mohammad Zaman Aazurda, Zahid Mukhtar, Rohi Jan, among intellectuals and writers, were present on the occasion. An official spokesperson said the minister emphasised the need of preserving and promoting the Kashmiri language. “Language is the main component, identity and culture of a community. So there is need of preserving and promoting the Kashmiri language, as it is the need of the hour,” he Rasool. He stressed that mother tongue was the best medium for communicating ideas, besides educating the people in society. Lauding the contribution of poets, writers and intellectuals of the state and those from outside it, the minister said renowned poets like Rasa Javdani and Janbaz Kashmiri had vehemently contributed to the language. He also appreciated the efforts of Rohi Jan for promoting the language and for inculcating interest among the students for the language. |
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Non-functional ATMs give tough time to residents
Kupwara, April 16 They said the machine in the old Kupwara chowk often flashes the message that it was being serviced. Another machine near the Deputy Commissioner’s office at Kupwara displays out of service error. “Clients are seldom benefited by the ATM facility in Kupwara. The machines often remain out of order for days,” said Mohd Ashraf, a trader. They said the people gather in front of the machines when they start working after days. “Rush of clients is bound to occur when the ATMs work only once or twice in a week. The authorities should keep them working round-the-clock or close them so that the clients do not suffer,” said Nazir Ahmad, an employee. According to the people, most of the ATMs remain closed after 7 pm. “What is the point in having a facility if it is not available round-the-clock. The ATMs are closed during the night and in case of an emergency, it is the patients who suffer the most,” said Hayat Ahmad, a resident. In Handwara town, the situation is no different. The ATM service here also remains affected most of the times. “Either machines lack cash or develop some snag. We seldom use the facility,” complained Bashir Ganie, a local resident.
— OC |
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FAIMER fellowship bestowed on GMC doc
An official said the fellowship was awarded to Dr Khan upon completing with distinction a two-year fellowship with the PSG-FAIMER Regional Institute, Coimbatore, from April 2011 to April 2013 with the implementation of curriculum innovation project ‘Use of objectively structured performance evaluation to test competencies of a medico expected to carry out duties as a primary care physician’. The project has now been incorporated in the curriculum for the assessment of pre-final MBBS students during examination in community medicine over the past three years. Dr Khan is the first faculty member of Government Medical College, Srinagar, to be awarded the FAIMER Fellowship. |
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Body found in Awantipora
Anantnag, April 16 “The age of the deceased is believed to be about 25 years,” said the reports. The initial investigation, a police statement revealed, were suggestive of a hit-and-run case.
However, further investigation has been initiated in this regard. The body of the deceased was dispatched to Sub-District Hospital, Pampore, for the post-mortem examination and other legal formalities. Meanwhile, the police has registered a case
in this regard and investigation has been initiated. |
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2 injured in road accidents
Srinagar, April 16 Tanveer Ahmad Bhat and Mehak Rasool, both resident of the
old city, were injured in the accident and shifted to a nearby hospital in the area. |
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Srinagar, April 16