REGIONAL

Patients at Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences (SKIMS) Srinagar have complained that the hospital is not providing them with the essential CT scan contrast injection, Lopromide, Ultravist 370 and is instead directing them to purchase it from the open market. According to attendants, SKIMS has been informing patients that the contrast medicine is in short supply and advising them to buy it privately for Rs 1,550. This has raised concerns over the availability of critical medical supplies at the premier Institute in Kashmir. "Why we are being forced to bear additional costs for a medicine that should be readily available within the hospital," said an attendant. When approached for clarification by the news agency Kashmir News Trust, Medical Superintendent SKIMS, Dr. Far...

The government is considering the installation of water meters in commercial establishments as part of the first phase of a broader water management initiative, Chief Engineer of Kashmir's PHE Jal Shakti Department, Braham Jyoti Sharma, said on Wednesday, Greater Kashmir reported. Sharma stated that under the Har Ghar Jal Yojana, 88% of households in Kashmir have been provided with tap water connections. He added that the Jal Jeevan Mission is actively overseeing the implementation of these schemes at both central and state levels, with efforts ongoing to complete the remaining connections. "The government has set March 31, 2025, as the deadline for completing the project," Sharma said. Regarding the conservation and efficient use of water, Sharma revealed that authorities are pla...

Light snowfall has been reported in some mountainous areas of Jammu and Kashmir as a feeble Western Disturbance (WD) affects the valley, Director MeT Srinagar Mukhtar Ahmad said on Wednesday According to Ahmad, light snowfall has been observed in several mountain areas, while the weather remained generally clear in the plains. However, he predicted light rain in lower areas of Jammu and snowfall in the higher reaches of Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal Range, and different parts of Kashmir, including south, central, and north Kashmir, between late night and February 1. “In some mountain areas, especially in south Kashmir and Chenab Valley, there are also chances of light to moderate snowfall,” Ahmad stated. Looking ahead, another Western Disturbance is expected to impact the region from...

The Jammu Kashmir Forest Department has raised objections to the government's plan to cut down hundreds of conifer trees in Pahalgam for a proposed gondola ropeway. The project, aimed at boosting tourism, is expected to connect Pahalgam with Baisaran, a picturesque meadow surrounded by dense pine forests. The Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) has proposed an alignment that would require the felling of approximately 700-800 trees, triggering environmental concerns. The Forest Department has particularly opposed the impact on forest compartment 35, which would suffer significant damage. Despite these concerns, the JKCCC has suggested a revised route passing through the Pahalgam market, though the reasoning behind this shift remains unclear. It is also uncertain whet...

Bhat Yasir A forest fire erupted today (Tuesday) in the Bijhama area of north Kashmir, with the Forest Department quickly deploying field staff to control the blaze, an official told The Kashmiriyat. This comes just days after the National Disaster Management Authority issued a high-risk forest fire alert for Jammu  Kashmir. Kashmir’s lush green forests, once a symbol of tranquility and natural beauty, are now facing an alarming crisis. Forest fires have surged dramatically in recent years, devastating vast stretches of land and posing a serious threat to both the environment and local communities. Between November 2023 and June 2024, Jammu and Kashmir saw a staggering 327 fire incidents, an 18-fold increase compared to the previous year. The sharp rise highlights the gro...

The National Conference President and former Chief Minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah has urged the people of Kashmir to rise collectively against the growing menace of drug addiction and trade in the region. While talking to reporters in Srinagar, Farooq Abdullah described the drug menace as a serious challenge, stating, “This is a wake-up call for the people of Kashmir. There is a lot of dirty money involved in this drug trade, and unless we Kashmiris wake up, we won’t be able to control it.” Dr. Abdullah expressed his disappointment over the moral and spiritual degradation in society, emphasizing, “We are Muslims only by name and not by action, and that is why we are struggling.” He pitched for self-reflection and societal reforms to address not only the drug crisis but also the broa...

Srinagar Police has dismantled a major inter-state drug trafficking network while investigating Case FIR No. 136/2024 under sections 8/22-29 NDPS Act. This breakthrough underscores the Police department’s commitment in combating the drug menace. Based on evidence from the investigation, including bank transactions and communication records, two key drug suppliers Raju Gupta from Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh, and Mohammad Abrar from Bhajanpura, Delhi were identified as major sources of narcotics supplied to local drug peddlers. A Srinagar police team led by SI Amandeep Singh, of Police Post Noorbagh, conducted extensive operations in Uttar Pradesh and Delhi over 10 days with the assistance of local police. Raju Gupta was apprehended on 23-01-2025 in Bareilly, and Mohammad Abrar was a...

Govt. Degree College Baramulla has issued a final warning against individuals operating unauthorized social media pages that allegedly engage in trolling, defamation, and spreading derogatory content targeting the institution’s staff and students. In a public notice released by the college principal, Prof. (Dr.) Mohammad Shafi Lone, it was stated that despite previous warnings, certain pages continue to malign the institution. The college has sought intervention from J&K Cyber Police, which has identified individuals responsible, including their mobile numbers, email addresses, and residential addresses. "This notice serves as a final warning to all such individuals. You are hereby directed to immediately remove all such pages, posts, and related content within the next 24 hou...

At least 27 people, mostly children, have tested positive for jaundice in the Gutlibagh village of Anantnag, raising concern among locals. An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that screening process is underway and so far 27 mostly children have been tested positive for jaundice in the area. He said that medical teams along with Asha workers have been carrying out door to door awareness campaign to educate people how to keep themselves safe. "The situation is under control as all patients are stable and recovering well," he said. Meanwhile, local residents alleged that contaminated water is the main reason behind the outbreak with officials stating that water samples have already been taken, and the report is yet to come—(KNO)