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• Calls for coordination between departments for timely rehabilitation

RAMBAN: In a significant outreach to the people affected by the recent cloudburst in Ramban district, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today visited the affected areas for the second consecutive day to personally assess the situation and oversee ongoing relief and restoration efforts.

The Chief Minister conducted an aerial survey of the damage caused at Dharmkund and along National Highway-44, accompanied by colleagues and concerned officers. He later visited various severely impacted locations, including Seri, Boli Bazar, Main Bazar Ramban, and the area surrounding Government Higher Secondary School Ramban.

During his visit, the Chief Minister interacted with affected families and assured them of all possible support. He emphasized that the immediate restoration of NH-44 is the topmost priority and directed the district administration Ramban to expedite the damage assessment process, covering death cases, structural losses, property damage, agricultural losses and livestock casualties.

The Chief Minister assured that relief compensation will be provided by the J&K Government to all those affected by the cloudburst. He further stated that the J&K Government is committed to supporting the victims during this difficult time and will seek assistance from the Central Government to ensure timely and adequate relief measures are extended to the affected families.

He instructed the administration and NHAI to intensify relief and restoration works and assured adequate financial assistance for the same. He further directed for clearing of link roads and removal of debris from residential areas, restoration of power supply and deployment of water tankers to ensure drinking water in affected localities. He also called for the enhancement of community kitchens (langars) to support displaced families and the submission of fund requisition to the Finance Department for immediate financial support from the government.

The Chief Minister also appreciated the prompt response and real-time action by the district administration and Police, which helped save many precious lives. The Chief Minister was accompanied by Advisor to CM Nasir Aslam Wani, DDC Chairperson Dr. Shamshad Shan, MLA Banihal Sajad Shaheen, MLA Ramban Arjun Singh Raju, Deputy Commissioner Ramban Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary, SSP Ramban Kulbir Singh and other senior officers.

Later, a review meeting was also held at Ramban, where Chief Minister Omar Abdullah took stock of the ongoing rescue, relief, and restoration efforts being carried out by the district administration and stakeholder departments. Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani suggested measures for the timely restoration of essential services and urged early insurance claims processing to avoid delays in compensation.

The Chief Minister also directed authorities to strictly regulate construction near water channels and nallahs to prevent obstruction to natural water flow. The DDC Chairperson, MLAs, and other officials highlighted various pressing issues that require immediate attention. Earlier, Deputy Commissioner Baseer-Ul-Haq Chaudhary briefed the Chief Minister about the tragic incident and measures undertaken so far for rescue, relief and restoration across the district.

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AWANTIPORA: The Department of Planning & Geomatics, Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) today inaugurated a three-day event to commemorate International Earth Day 2025, being observed from April 22 to 24, 2025 at the University Campus. The celebrations align with this year’s Earth Day theme, This is Our Power, Our Planet: #RenewableEnergyNow, and aim to raise awareness and drive collective action toward renewable energy adoption, environmental conservation, and sustainable development.

The event features a series of symposia, panel discussions, and technical sessions led by domain experts, thought leaders, and practitioners. Participants from academia, government departments, industry, and civil society engaged in meaningful dialogue on the region’s pressing environmental and climate-related challenges.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Prof. Shakil Ahmad Romshoo, Vice Chancellor, emphasized that this year’s theme strongly resonates with global issues and is relevant to Jammu and Kashmir, which is already witnessing the environmental degradation and impacts of climate change.  He further said “How is it that the Earth—our mother and the only home for eight billion people—is now ailing?

A planet that has nurtured and sustained civilizations for millennia, and given us everything we need to survive and thrive—now stands wounded by our own actions. It is time we reflect, and more importantly, act to heal her.” Prof. Romshoo highlighted that glaciers are Kashmir’s most vital natural resources, whose preservation is critical not just for the region, but for the water security and ecological balance of the entire Indian subcontinent.

Prof. Mohammad Mobin, Vice Chancellor, Cluster University of Kashmir highlighted the urgent need to preserve natural ecosystems and move toward an environmentally conscious way of life. He further said academic institutions have a responsibility to demystify complex environmental challenges for the public and reaffirm our collective commitment to sustainability and responsible stewardship of natural resources."

Prof. A. H. Moon, Dean Academic Affairs, underlined the significant role students can play in shaping a greener future. “He stressed that youth are the custodians of our planet. Their engagement and commitment are crucial to protecting the environment and driving sustainable practices across sectors.

As part of the three-day Earth Day 2025 celebrations coordinated by Dr. Jasia Bashir Program Organizing Secretary, a vibrant line-up of activities has been curated to engage participants across disciplines and backgrounds. It included the Panel Discussions, Poster Exhibition, Human Chain Rally, a Campus Plantation Drive, Painting Competition and a Cleanliness Campaign showcasing student and faculty contributions on environmental themes, followed by a series of plenary and technical sessions featuring keynote lectures on glacier health, ethical environmental stewardship, and innovations in renewable energy. The program is jointly sponsored by the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), JKSTIC, J&K BANK and IUST.

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JAMMU: In a thought-provoking and inspiring session organized by the Skill Incubation Innovation Entrepreneurial Development Centre (SIIEDC) at the University of Jammu, young author Laranya R Kumar engaged in a meaningful interaction with students, sharing insights from her journey as a writer and her debut book, The Land of Souls, which uniquely blends mythology with the contemporary world of technology.

In her address, Laranya shared her motivations and the inner drives that have fueled her creative path. She spoke candidly about real-world challenges explored in her book, including the pressure of employability, the intensity of the rat race, and the scarcity of meaningful opportunities for todays youth. The need for exposure is vital, she emphasized, but equally important is a supportive environment that nurtures individuality.

She delved into the setbacks of life, the struggle with motivation, and the everyday sense of lethargy that young minds often grapple with. Laranya emphasized the power of self-awareness, creativity, and building a unique personal identity. She encouraged students to discover their ikigaia Japanese concept meaning a reason for beingto strike a balance between work and passion while de-emphasizing materialism.

Students actively participated by asking questions on balancing career with passion, solving problems, and staying motivated. Laranya stressed the importance of discipline, vision mapping, and understanding one's own limitations, urging students to face their weaknesses head-on without compromising on values.

Adding to the inspiration, Miss Navneet Kour, Laranyas mother, addressed the students and shared her five mantras for leading a successful and fulfilling life. She emphasized the importance of cultivating a conducive inner environment as the foundation for outer success. Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Alka Sharma, shared uplifting stories and valuable life lessons that resonated deeply with the audience.

Earlier Prof Sadaf Shah, Associate Director, (SIIEDC) warmly welcomed the dignitaries and the audience. Introducing Laranya and her literary work, Prof Sadaf highlighting the fusion of mythology and modernity in Laranyas writing. She encouraged students to draw inspiration from her journey and to seek guidance through open dialogue and discussion.

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• Seeks PM’s Intervention, Demands National Disaster Tag
• Says Mughal Road Must Be Widened and Nationalized
• Demand revive and Complete Tosamaidan-Loran Arizal Road Project and Upgradation  of Mughal Road
• Airfare Exploitation Must End, Helicopter Services Needed for stranded passengers

SRINAGAR: Hakeem Yaseen, President of Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Democratic Front (PDF) and former minister, on Tuesday voiced serious concern over the alarming condition of the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway from the past three days. The continuous disruption of this vital road link has left thousands of passengers and vehicles stranded, causing immense distress to people from all walks of life, he said.

Terming the situation as "a humanitarian crisis," Hakeem said the highway, once considered the backbone of connectivity between Kashmir and the rest of the country, has become unreliable and dangerous. This is not just a traffic issue. This is a matter of survival. Entire families are stuck for days in harsh conditions. Goods, patients, students, and tourists are all suffering,” he said.

Hakeem said that despite repeated claims by the administration, no lasting measures have been taken to address the vulnerability of the highway to natural disasters. “For the past 15 years, we have seen endless announcements and patchwork repairs. Every time disaster strikes, we are back to square one. Leaders come, take photos, make promises, and leave—while people continue to suffer,” he said.

Calling the current crisis the worst natural disaster since the 2014 floods, Hakeem appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah to declare it a national disaster as a special case. He stressed that the scale of damage and suffering has overwhelmed the capacity of the Union Territory administration and needs immediate central intervention.

“I request the Prime Minister and the Home Minister to announce a comprehensive relief and rehabilitation package. People have lost their homes, vehicles, and livelihoods. Some are still missing. A special project must be launched to support their recovery and long-term sustainability,” Hakeem said.

According to the officials National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the highway has suffered serious damage at 22 locations, and while restoration work is underway, the scale of destruction is immense. Landslides triggered by flash floods in the Ramban district on Sunday claimed the lives of three people, and over 100 had to be rescued.

Nearly 4 to 5 kilometers of the highway were completely washed away, and many vehicles were buried under debris. Relief operations are ongoing, and stranded passengers are being provided temporary shelter and food by the authorities.

He also demanded serious attention to alternative road connectivity, calling for the immediate widening and upgradation of the Mughal Road. “This road must be declared a National Highway and developed with the same urgency as the main corridor,” he said.

Referring to the Mandi– Tosamaidan-Loran Arizal Road, Hakeem highlighted it as the shortest and most stable link between the Jammu and Kashmir regions. “It was initiated years ago, and some work was done, but the project has been left midway. This route has fewer landslide-prone zones and should be completed on a priority basis,” he emphasized.

Hakeem also expressed dismay over the skyrocketing airfares between Srinagar and Jammu during times of highway closure.  “Private airlines exploit the situation whenever the highway is blocked or the weather turns bad. Why can’t the government regulate ticket prices during emergencies? Why can’t helicopter services be provided for stranded passengers, especially the elderly and sick?” he asked.

He urged the central government to formulate a long-term disaster mitigation and transportation strategy for Jammu and Kashmir. “This is not the last time we will face floods or landslides. But unless we act now, the people will continue to suffer every single year. It's time to move from announcements to action,” Hakeem added.