REGIONAL

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has announced a signature campaign advocating for a ban on alcohol in Jammu Kashmir. The campaign will be launched on Saturday at the PDP office in Srinagar between 11 AM and 2 PM, aiming to mobilize public support for the proposed legislation. Iltija Mufti, taking to social media, urged people to participate, stating, “Alcohol and drugs are wrecking lives and families in J&K. We must come together to put an end to it before it’s too late.” This marks the third such signature campaign in recent years. Earlier, Kashmiri clerics Qazi Yasir and Moulana Ghulam Rasool Hami led similar drives, but despite repeated demands, successive governments have never enforced a ban on alcohol. The move follows a bill introduced by PDP MLA from Kupwara, Fay...

Suhail Dar The ancient Achabal spring, which had mysteriously dried up amid an ongoing rain deficit in Kashmir, has come back to life—just days after an elderly woman’s desperate plea to the lifeless waters stirred emotions across the region. Saja Begum, an old woman from Ara Khashipora in Dialgam, was seen in a viral video standing by the barren bed of the once-mighty spring, her voice trembling as she pleaded, "O beloved spring, return to us! Do not abandon your children." Her cries, raw and filled with longing, seemed to echo the silent grief of a land parched by environmental neglect. And then, as if the heavens had heard her, the rains arrived. The skies poured down, drenching the thirsty earth, and on Friday morning, the Achabal spring was reborn. Locals, stunned by th...

A 31-year-old man was charred to death in a devastating fire that broke out overnight in the Binner area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district. Locals told The Kashmiriyat that the fire erupted in a residential house around 4 a.m. on Friday. The flames quickly engulfed the structure, leaving little time for those inside to escape. "Flames emerged from the house at around 4 a.m. on Friday," a local resident said. Tragically, one person, identified as Zubair Ahmad Siraj, son of Ghulam Mohammad Siraj, a resident of Binner, Baramulla, was unable to make it out. Zubair, who was physically disabled, got trapped inside and succumbed to the blaze. "Zubair Ahmad Siraj, who was physically disabled, could not make it out of the house," another local said. The fire completely gutted the...

Danishwar Hameed An electrician died after receiving a major electric shock this evening at Audipora Qaimoh in south Kashmir’s Kulgam district, sources said. Sources told The Kashmiriyat that Siraj Ahmad Naik (26), son of Mohammad Afzal Naik, who was an electrician by profession, was making some repairment during the course of which he received an electric shock. He was immediately evacuated to a nearby health facility, however, the doctors there declared him as brought dead on arrival. The deceased was the single brother of four sisters. Meanwhile, the Police have taken cognizance of the incident.

From December 1, 2024, to February, 20, 2025, Kashmir has recorded the worst-ever rainfall deficit in the past eight years. The data accessed by the news agency, Kashmir News Observer, reveals that Kashmir has witnessed 70 per cent deficit in rainfall between December 2024 to February 2025. The data states that 2019 was the only year with 60 per cent rainfall above normal between December and February. In 2018, a total deficit of rainfall between December to February was 30 per cent, reads the data. However, in the preceding year 2019, Kashmir recorded above 60 per cent precipitation from the normal scale. The rainfall of above 300 mm was recorded during the period. On the contrary, the region started witnessing a declining trend in precipitation till the year 2025. In th...

With Jammu Kashmir experiencing an extended dry spell, authorities have warned of an impending drought and urged farmers to shift to crops that require less irrigation. Joint Director (Extension) of the Agriculture Department, Sartaj Ahmad Shah, told Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that if the dry conditions persist, the region will face a severe water crisis, particularly affecting paddy cultivation, which requires substantial irrigation. “Farmers whose fields lie at the farthest end of irrigation canals should reconsider planting paddy this year and opt for crops like maize, pulses, and millets that require less water,” Shah said. He added that the situation is likely to turn grim in north Kashmir, which has already been facing water shortages. However, this year, south Kashmir is e...

For the third time, residents of Umer Mohalla, Kishtwar, thwarted an attempt by the Power Development Department (PDD) to install smart meters, citing financial strain. As PDD officials arrived with police, locals gathered in protest, demanding disconnection over installation. Residents fear steep electricity bills, especially with high unemployment. "Kishtwar's hydro projects power other states for free, yet we are forced to pay," a protester said. With resistance growing, officials left without completing the installation, leaving the situation tense.

The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has expressed deep concern over the severe impact of climate change and irregular weather patterns on Kashmir’s economy, urging immediate action to safeguard both environmental and economic interests. "Jammu and Kashmir is facing a severe water crisis this year," Chief Minister Omar Abdullah warned. "This situation has developed over several years, and there must be accountability for those responsible for managing our resources." KCCI highlighted that recent climate-related disruptions have severely affected multiple sectors. As the region approaches summer, the drying of springs and diminishing water bodies has raised serious concerns about water availability. "Negligible rain and snowfall, combined with the rapid melting of glaci...

Shabir Khan A man from Sopore has gone missing in Delhi, leaving his family in distress. Family members said that Shabir Ahmad Shah, son of Late Ghulam Nabi Shah, a resident of Neharpora, Sopore, has been missing for the past week. The family has urged the general public to share any information about his whereabouts and requested anyone with details to contact them or the nearest police station. Contact numbers: 9419431746 or 6005191534.

A large number of students in Jammu Kashmir are calling for the rescheduling of the JKAS preliminary exam, which is set for February 23, 2025, as it coincides with the AFCAT examination. However, the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC) has ruled out any possibility of a date change. With unemployment already a major concern in the region, aspirants argue that missing either exam could cost them valuable career opportunities. They are urging authorities to reconsider, emphasizing that every attempt matters in their struggle for stable employment. "This is an extremely unfair situation," said Manjeet Singh, an aspirant for both the JKPSC and AFCAT exams. "We have worked hard to prepare, only to be forced into a choice we shouldn't have to make. I personally met the Gove...