The arrival of Chillai-Kalan— the harshest 40-day winter period — has intensified the freezing conditions, leaving residents struggling to cope with the extreme cold.

Srinagar experienced a minimum temperature of -8.5°C, marking the coldest night since 1974 when it dropped to -10.3°C.

The record for the lowest temperature in the city remains -12.8°C, set on December 13, 1964. Today’s reading stands as the third-lowest December temperature in Srinagar since 1891.

Anantnag registered the lowest temperature in the valley at -10.5°C, followed by Shopian at -10.4°C and Pulwama at -10.3°C.

Kupwara shivered at -7.2°C, while Bandipora and Ganderbal recorded -7.4°C and -7.1°C, respectively.

Tourist destinations like Pahalgam and Gulmarg registered -8.6°C and -6.2°C, respectively. Kokernag recorded -5.8°C, Budgam saw -8.3°C, and Larnoo dropped to -9.3°C. Khudwani, too, felt the brunt of the cold, with temperatures reaching -9.0°C.

Due to the lack of snow cover, many hilly areas stayed warmer than the plains, leaving regions like Sonamarg (-8.8°C) and Zojila comparatively insulated from harsher conditions.

In the Jammu region, temperatures ranged from a mild 5.4°C in Jammu city to a frosty -4.4°C in Banihal. Bhaderwah recorded -2.3°C, while Padder in Kishtwar district experienced a freezing -8.0°C.

The harsh winter conditions in Ladakh showed no signs of easing, with Kargil recording -14.3°C and Leh -12.5°C. Drass, often among the coldest inhabited places on Earth, did not report its temperature but is expected to remain similarly frigid.

The severe cold has frozen water pipes in multiple areas, leaving residents without running water, while icy roads have made commuting treacherous.

Officials have urged people to take precautions, including wearing adequate clothing and ensuring heating arrangements, to avoid frostbite and hypothermia. (TK)

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Five Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycles fitted with unauthorised silencers were seized by the police, officials said.

These motorcycles were reportedly causing excessive noise and disturbing the peace in the area.

“This action comes after numerous complaints from local residents affected by the loud noise generated by these modified vehicles,” an official said.

Authorities stated that similar enforcement drives would be conducted across other areas of Jammu’s rural zone.

They also plan to target individuals and businesses involved in selling and installing these illegal silencers under the provisions of the Motor Vehicles Act.

“The use of unauthorized modifications, particularly to silencers, is a violation of the Motor Vehicles Act. Such alterations not only contribute to noise pollution but also compromise the bike’s efficiency and pose potential safety hazards,” the official added.

Police have urged vehicle owners to avoid making such modifications, warning that strict penalties will be imposed on those found violating the regulations. — (PTI)

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Farooq Nali, described by officials as one of the valley’s longest-surviving militants, was involved in multiple incidents as per police targeting civilians and security personnel. His death marks the culmination of a sustained operation in the area.

During the gunfight, two army personnel were injured and are under medical care. Security forces have called the operation a significant development in their efforts to curb militancy in the Kashmir region.

The post Kashmir’s Longest-Surviving Hizb Commander Among 5 Militants Killed in Kulgam Gunfight appeared first on KASHMIR FIRST.

Local residents alerted authorities after spotting the body, leading to a swift response from police and forensic teams.

The deceased has been identified as Ghulam Nabi Sheikh Son of Habib ul lah Sheikh a resident of Kounsar area of Kulgam district, who had been reported missing from for several days.

“The body has been sent for post-mortem to determine the cause of death,” a police official said.

A Police official confirmed to Kashmir First that an investigation has been started to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.

Further details will be shared as the investigation progresses. (KF)

The post Body of Missing Man Recovered from Anantnag’s Deva Colony appeared first on KASHMIR FIRST.

Firefighting teams and emergency services have rushed to the spot and are working to control the flames.

The cause of the fire is yet to be determined, and no casualties have been reported so far.

Further details awaited.

The post Fire Breaks Out in MLA Hostel Srinagar appeared first on KASHMIR FIRST.

A police spokesman said that joint parties of security forces launched a cordon and search operation in the upper reaches of Dachigam forest based on a specific intelligence input.

He said the gunfight broke out after forces zeroed in on the suspected spot.

A top police official said a militant was killed in the gunfight. His identity was yet to be ascertained. (Agencies)

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A minor spell of precipitation is also likely from the late evening of December 2 until the morning of December 3.

From December 4 to 12, the weather is expected to remain generally dry, with the possibility of light snowfall over higher reaches on the night of December 8.

Stay updated with Kashmir First for more weather-related information.

The post Weather Forecast for J&K: Light Rain/Snow Expected in Coming Days appeared first on KASHMIR FIRST.

The minimum temperature details for the regions are as follows:

Kashmir Region:

Anantnag: -5.1°C

Shopian: -5.5°C

Pahalgam: -5.0°C

Kulgam: -4.0°C

Larnoo: -4.3°C

Pulwama: -4.8°C

Sonamarg: -3.4°C

Qazigund: -3.0°C

Kupwara: -3.0°C

Budgam: -3.6°C

Bandipora: -3.3°C

Gulmarg: -2.5°C

Srinagar: -2.1°C

Ganderbal: -2.1°C

Baramulla: -1.8°C

Kokernag: 0.2°C

Jammu Region:

Padder: -5.5°C

Bhaderwah: 1.2°C

Batote: 4.2°C

Rajouri: 3.6°C

Kishtwar: 3.9°C

Banihal: 8.7°C

Ramban: 6.9°C

Reasi: 7.5°C

Samba: 6.5°C

Udhampur: 6.9°C

Jammu: 10.1°C

Kathua: 9.7°C

Katra: 9.2°C

Poonch: NA

Ladakh

Drass: -12.2°C

Leh: -8.8°C

Kargil: -8.3°C

The cold conditions are likely to persist, with the Meteorological Department forecasting colder nights ahead.

Residents are advised to take adequate precautions as the mercury continues to drop across the region. (KF)

The post Cold Wave Tightens Grip Across J&K and Ladakh: Minimum Temperatures Drop Sharply appeared first on KASHMIR FIRST.

According to reports, the collision resulted in injuries to two tourists, who were immediately shifted to Noora Hospital for treatment. The condition of one of the injured is reported to be critical.

The injured tourists have been identified as Asma Sheikh and Shabir Ahmad, both residents of Bangalore.

Meanwhile, the police have registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident.

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The warning comes against the backdrop of growing frustration among the open merit candidates over alleged disparities in job quota allocations introduced by the Centre.

Mehdi was responding to a social media post apparently by an aspirant, that claimed they voted for Omar Abdullah due to the commitments made by the MP.
“ inshahallah if you will not give any response to our demands we start sleeping in open air outside your residence . Sir only 26% jobs for 70% OM population,” the post read.

Reacting to the post, Mehdi reiterated his commitment to the “cause” and said that he has neither forgotten nor backtracked on the issue of rationalisation of reservation. The firebrand MP of NC said that he had talked twice with the chief minister multiple times with other colleagues about this issue.

“Away from the X (Twitter) I have talked with HCM twice and multiple times with other colleagues about this issue. I am told that there is some confusion about the distribution of the rules of business on many issues between the elected government and the other undemocratically imposed office and this subject is one among them. I am assured that the government will take a decision to rationalise the policy soon,” Mehdi posted on X.

“While I respect the institution of the elected government and their right to make decisions. And I think it is fair and logical to give them some time to find a solution. I, at the same time, understand the urgency of the matter. Therefore, I would request all of you to wait till I attend the Parliament session which starts from 25th Nov and concludes on 22nd Dec. If the decision is not taken till then, I will sit with all of you outside the residence or the office of the Chief Minister,” he added.

On Tuesday, PDP leader and MLA Waheed Para had raised concerns over the reservation distribution in the recruitment of lecturers in Jammu and Kashmir.

Para pointed out that out of 575 lecturer posts referred for recruitment, only 238 are for open merit candidates, while 337 are reserved. (AGENCIES)

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