SRINAGAR: Rebuffing Pakistan’s objections to New Delhi hosting G20 events in Srinagar and Leh, India on Thursday said that holding G20 events in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh is very natural as they are an integral and inalienable part of...

SRINAGAR: People from all walks of life held a protest rally in Leh Division of Ladakh demanding fast-track justice for the minor rape victim.       The rally was attended by political leaders, civil society, school children, government employees, and traders.          

SRINAGAR: Weather department here on Friday forecast widespread rains and thunderstorm with snowfall over higher reaches at most places of Jammu and Kashmir till weekend. A meteorological department official here said that there was possibility of hailstorm in plains between March 24-25. “Thunderstorm may be accompanied by strong gusty winds. Rain likely to commence from March 24 afternoon onwards,” he said. The weather department also urged farmers to “postpone” spraying of orchards while commuters intending to travel on highway and other hilly areas have been asked to confirm road status from concerned traffic police before starting their journey. Regarding temperature, the MeT official said, Srinagar recorded a low of 5.3°C against 5.2°C on the previous night and it was 0.3°C above normal for the summer capital. Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 4.0°C against 3.2°C on the previous night and it was 0.3°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir. Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 0.6°C against minus 0.2°C on the previous night and it was 0.2°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Kokernag recorded a low of 4.7°C against 4.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.4°C above normal for the place, the officials said. Gulmarg recorded a low of 0.0°C, the same as on the previous night and it was 1.6°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said. In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 4.0°C against 3.7°C on the previous night and it was 0.8°C above normal for the north Kashmir area. Jammu recorded a low of 14.9°C against 13.8°C on the previous night. It was 0.6°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 5.0°C (below normal by 0.3°C), Batote 7.5°C (below normal by 0.6°C), Katra 12.0°C (0.5°C below normal) and Bhadarwah 5.6°C (1.7°C above normal). Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil, he said, recorded a low of minus 3.0°C and minus 1.9°C respectively.(GNS)

SRINAGAR: Rains lashed plains in Jammu and Kashmir including Srinagar while Gulmarg received sleet in the last 24 hours, the weather department said on Monday. A meteorological department official here said that in last 24 hours till 8:30 in the morning today, Gulmarg received 15.8mm of sleet while Srinagar had 2.0mm of rain, Qazigund 7.4mm, Pahalgam 14.5mm, Kupwara 4.5mm, Kokernag 14.4mm, Jammu 0.0mm, Banihal 27mm, Batote 21mm and Bhaderwah 8mm. Regarding the forecast, he said, generally cloudy weather with possibility of rain was expected in the next 24 hours. He further added that “a brief spell of thunderstorm with rain was likely at isolated (50-60% chance) towards evening.” From March 22-23, he said, dry weather was expected while weather was likely to be generally cloudy with intermittent light rain with thunder at scattered places on March 24 & 25. Thereafter, he said, the weather was expected to be dry with “no forecast of any major rain/snow till March 28 in J&K.” Regarding temperature, he said, Srinagar recorded a low of 7.2°C against 5.5°C on the previous night and it was 2.5°C above normal for the summer capital. Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 6.0°C against 3.5°C on the previous night and it was 2.4°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir. Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 2.6°C against 1.2°C on the previous night and it was 2.5°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Kokernag recorded a low of 4.6°C against 4.0°C on the previous night and it was 1.1°C above normal for the place, the officials said. Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 0.6°C against minus 0.4°C on the previous night and it was 1.7°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said. In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 3.2°C against 4.5°C on the previous night and it was 0.1°C above normal for the north Kashmir area. Jammu recorded a low of 14.7°C against 14.2°C on the previous night. It was 0.2°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 6.2°C (above normal by 1.3°C), Batote 6.9°C (above normal by 0.2°C), Katra 14.1°C (1.5°C above normal) and Bhadarwah 7.0°C (3.1°C above normal). Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil, he said, recorded a low of minus 1.5°C and minus 4.2°C respectively. (GNS)

Have been breaking our own records since past 3 years; will ensure to make road through in just 60 days; Road will help save Rs 7 Cr a day; shifting defence equipment, troops to Ladakh by air costs huge amount: DG BRO Lt Gen Rajeev Chaudhary SRINAGAR: The strategic 434 km long Srinagar-Leh highway was thrown open by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) in a record 68 days, officials said Thursday. As per official reports, Director General Border Roads Organisation (BRO), Lt General Rajeev Chaudhary, believes that it is always a toughest challenge to throw open Zojila pass. “It was due to the hardwork of BRO officials and men that we were able to throw the pass open in a record number of 68 days. For the past three years, we have been breaking our own records,” he said, adding that first the road was thrown open in 110 days, then in 78 days and now in just 68 days. “Our efforts will be make the road through in just 60 days (two months),” he said. “BRO officials and men are fully acclimatized and familiar with the area. No equipment was damaged during the road opening process.” He said the locals who work with the BRO are being provided with adequate wages, shelter and food besides warm clothes. “Some people are with us since 25 years. We are like a family,” the DG BRO said. He further added that early opening of this road helps save RS 7 Crore a day for the government. “This road helps to send defense equipment including guns, bullets and tanks besides troops to Ladakh. Similarly, the early road opening helps give an economic push to the Ladakh region that remain cut-off from the rest of the world for six months,” the DG said, adding that “people of Ladakh can come to Srinagar through this road and carry out their economic activities. (KNO)

SRINAGAR: Amid forecast for cloudy weather with light rain at isolated to scattered places till March 20, the minimum temperature recorded further rise at most places in Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday. A meteorological department official here reported that Srinagar recorded a low of 5.5°C against 5.1°C on the previous night and it was 1.8°C above normal for the summer capital. Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 4.2°C against 3.0°C on the previous night and it was 1.9°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir. Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 0.8°C, the same on the previous night and it was 2.0°C above normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district. Kokernag recorded a low of 6.3°C against 5.9°C on the previous night and it was 3.8°C above normal for the place, the officials said. Gulmarg recorded a low of 1.5°C against 1.4°C on the previous night and it was 4.8°C above normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said. In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 3.2°C against 2.6°C on the previous night and it was 0.9°C above normal for the north Kashmir area. Jammu recorded a low of 15.0°C against 15.6°C on the previous night. It was 1.0°C above normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said. Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 5.6°C (above normal by 1.4°C), Batote 9.5°C (above normal by 2.8°C), Katra 14.2°C (2.5°C above normal) and Bhadarwah 7.4°C (4.4°C above normal). Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil, he said, recorded a low of minus 3.6°C and minus 4.9°C respectively. He said “generally cloudy” was expected during the next 24 hours. “Afternoon thunderstorms at isolated places can't be ruled out,” the official said, adding, “Generally cloudy with intermittent light rain with thunder at scattered places was expected during March 17-20.” (GNS)