The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — A flood-like situation was witnessed in Keller area of southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday after the cloudburst occurred at Chowgam Kellar area while the rains lashed most parts of Jammu and Kashmir, bringing down the mercury across the Union Territory.

As per the details available with the news agency KNO, the cloudburst at Chowgam Kellar led to a flood-like situation today as the muddy water entered several residential houses. Although no damage occurred due to the incident, the muddy water has entered the residential houses in the hamlet today, the locals informed.

Flash floods also hit Achgoza village in the Valley's southern district of Pulwama. The village in Rajpora Tehsil of the district experienced severe disruption last night due to flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in the nearby forest area.

Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif Keng said the sudden cloudburst resulted in the rapid accumulation of water, submerging the village and several residential properties.

A local resident described the situation, saying the water rose so quickly that they had no time to react. "Within minutes, our homes were submerged, and we had to evacuate hastily."

Another resident expressed relief that the water levels are now receding. Currently, water levels are decreasing, allowing villagers to begin assessing the damage and cleaning up.

DC Pulwama, Basharat Qayoom said the situation is being closely monitored and efforts are underway to provide necessary assistance to the affected families.

Meanwhile, below normal temperature was recorded at all the stations across Jammu and Kashmir as the rainfall continued from the wee hours of this morning till the afternoon.

As per the details, Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a rainfall of 8.8mm from 8:30 this morning to 5:30 in the evening.

Qazigund, a gateway of Kashmir, has recorded a precipitation of just 1.2mm while Pahalgam recorded 6.2mm during the period. Kupwara, Kokernag and Gulmarg recorded precipitation of 1.3mm, 1.4mm and 2.2mm respectively.

According to the details, Jammu’s Batote has recorded the highest precipitation with 24.9mm in the last 24 hours till 8:30 am followed by 4.8mm in Banihal.

Meanwhile, the weatherman has predicted the possibility of a brief spell of rain and thundershower at a few places during daytime and light to moderate rain and thundershower at many places of J&K towards late night or early morning during the next three days till August 20.

Director Meteorological Department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that there is a possibility of a brief spell of rain and thundershower at a few places during daytime and light to moderate rain and thundershower at isolated places of J&K towards late night or early morning from August 21 to August 23.

The MeT has also predicted the possibility of intense showers for brief periods and heavy rainfall in Jammu division that may lead to flash floods, landslides, mudslides and shooting stones over vulnerable places of J&K during the next three days.

KELLER — Acting on the directives of Deputy Commissioner Shopian, a market checking team led by Tehsildar Keller, Mr. Latafat, alongside Assistant Commissioner from the Food Safety Department, Mrs. Nighat, and Food Safety Officer Keller, Shafiq Ur Rehman, conducted rigorous inspections across various parts of the Keller area of southern Kashmir's Shopian district on Friday.

The initiative aimed to verify the adherence of essential commodities to government-approved rates and quality standards, ensuring an ample supply of consumables in the market.

Throughout the day, the market checking team, consisting of officials from the Police, FCS&CA, and Food Safety Department, meticulously examined establishments in different markets of Keller, including the bus stand market, focusing on businesses such as bakeries, confectioneries, groceries, vegetable and fruit vendors, and meat shops.

Inspectors scrutinized the hygiene conditions and assessed factors such as the Date of Manufacture and Use-by Date of products.

All traders, particularly those dealing in meat, vegetables, and fruits, were cautioned to maintain product quality. Shopkeepers were also reminded to avoid hoarding and overcharging customers.

In the course of the inspections, fines totalling Rs. 3500 were levied on non-compliant traders, and a significant quantity of spoiled vegetables and fruits were promptly discarded.

Tehsildar Keller emphasized the continuation of such drives to ensure fair pricing and availability of essential goods, discouraging black marketing practices. He instructed officials to clear footpaths and main roads of any encroachments to facilitate smooth movement.

Engaging with shopkeepers, Food Safety Officer Keller stressed the importance of prominently displaying rate lists and adhering to approved rates and quality standards. Non-compliance, he warned, would result in strict legal action.

SRINAGAR — A mother-son duo was killed while two other family members were injured after a tree fell on their Kotha in Zaban Gali area of Shopian district late last night.

An official told Kashmir News Service (KNS) that a tree fell on a Kotha in Zaban Gali last night, resulting in the on-spot death of a mother-son duo and injuries to two other family members.

The deceased have been identified as Sharifa Bano wife of Nika Katari and her son Idrees Ahmad son of Nika Katari of Khatwalan Tehsil Keller of Shopian.

The official said that bodies have been handed over to relatives in village Kathhallan for last rites, while Nika Katari and his daughter, who are injured, are under treatment in a hospital.

Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner Shopian expressed condolences to the family and assured all help from the district administration.

SRINAGAR — The residents of Ringward Keller area on Tuesday staged a protest over injecting an expired 'glucose injection' to a patient at SDH Keller in Shopian district on Monday.

Local sources told news agency Kashmir Dot Com (KDC) that inhabitants of village Ringward Keller held a protest and alleged that the doctors of Sub-district Hospital Keller injected an expired 'glucose injection' to a patient identified as Soni, wife of Aarif Hussain, a resident of Ringward during her treatment.

They said the protesters forced the closure of all medical shops near SDH Keller and demanded action against the staff members involved in administering ‘expired glucose’ to the patient.

CMO Shopian, Dr Arshad Hussain Tak, when contacted, said that one nurse, namely Muneera, has been suspended and an inquiry has been initiated in this regard.

He said a team has been sent to the hospital to check the allegations and accordingly, the department will initiate the action against the involved health employees.