SRINAGAR: Since October this year till November, Jammu and Kashmir has received large excess rainfall of 101.2 mm.

Against the normal rainfall of 52.2mm, J&K has received 101.2 mm rainfall from October 01-November 16 while Shopian district in South Kashmir is the only place in the Union Territory, where 41 percent deficient rainfall has been recorded during the period.

As per the data prepared by the Meteorological department, Anantnag, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kathua, Kupwara and Udhampur have received excess rainfall. It added that Jammu district has received normal precipitation and recorded 45.7mm rainfall.

The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar, has recorded large excess rainfall as according to the data, against the normal 46.9 mm, it has recorded 109.4 mm in between October 01-November 16.

Reasi and Ramban districts in Jammu region have recorded highest precipitation at 157.8 mm and 131.5 mm respectively, the data reveals.

Majority of the districts mentioned in the list including Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, Doda, Kishtwar, Kulgam, Poonch, Pulwama, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, Samba and Udhampur have received large excess rainfall.

Pertiinently, after light snowfall in higher reaches of J&K and rain in plains, the local Meteorological department (MeT) has predicted dry weather for the next ten days, saying that there is no possibility of any wet spell till the end of this month.

The MeT has also predicted further drop in the minimum temperature in the coming days amid the dry weather conditions.

JAMMU: Senior BJP leader Devender Singh Rana lambasted the Congress for weakening the integral character of Jammu and Kashmir with the rest of the country from time to time, saying those undermining the crucial significance of repealing Article 370 and defaming India across the world over this sensitive issue have no right to even talk about binding the nation.

“Congress has always divided the nation on religion and caste lines but they can’t anymore jump the redline to destabilize the nation by traversing to J&K under the umbrella of elements inimical to single entity of India, who have lend their support to the so-called Yatra”, Mr Rana said while interacting with various deputations who met him here today, adding that Jammu is going to prove waterloo for Rahul Gandhi and his bandwagon.

He questioned the moral plank of the yatra, asking how it can bind the nation when the beginning marked bonhomie with the most controversial and divisive priest in Kanyakumari. With the progression in the yatra, Congress attracted all those who have been belittling national pride and traditional unity. The climax of the yatra would be the blessings of the combined gang of India bashers whose sympathies remain with trans-border inimical countries, he added.

Devender Rana said Jammu is a land of warriors, who have offered numerous sacrifices for the integrity and sovereignty of the country and it cannot welcome those hell bent on breaking the ethos of the country. He described the yatra as a misadventure and desperate attempt of the grand old party to attain some sort of relevance in Indian politics.

The deputationists apprised him of various issues of immense public importance and responding to these Mr Rana expressed satisfaction over the robust grievance redressal mechanism put in place by the Jammu and Kashmir administration, saying this has instilled a sense of confidence among the people to have their issues sorted out.

“The role of public representatives becomes crucial in highlighting the issues of community importance projected at appropriate levels to have these redressed earnestly”, Mr Rana said.

A deputation of the Village Development Committee, Jandrah, Dhan and Nagola (Block Dansal) also met Mr Rana and submitted a memorandum, raising the issue regarding the building complex for the newly constructed Degree College for Jandrah.

According to the memorandum, the building developed cracks before being handed over to the higher education department for starting the classes. Being a serious issue, concerning the lives of young students, the Higher Education Department and the Disaster Management Agency had decided to wait for two rainy seasons to see whether the condition of the building further deteriorates or not. This entailed taking up the class work in rented accommodation. A panel was also constituted to monitor the status of the complex and take a view accordingly.

The committee members urged Mr Rana to take up the issue with the Lieutenant Governor and all the concerned so that class work is resumed in the newly constructed complex after the requisite safety audit. They also expressed gratitude to him for taking a personal interest in getting the problems of the constituency solved. Devender Rana assured that this important issue, as also other issues related to health, power, drinking water and various utility services will be taken up with all the concerned for earnest and appropriate redressal.

JAMMU, Nov 23: A Pakistani national, who was apprehended on the International Border (IB) by the border security force (BSF), was repatriated within hours of his arrest.
Officials said that Shahzad, resident of Rangoor village in Pakistan, was repatriated at a flag meeting between the BSF and Pakistan rangers in Ramgarh sector of the IB within hours of being arrested on Tuesday while he was trying to cross over to the Indian side.
During questioning, the person was found to be mentally challenged, they added. (Agencies)

Srinagar, Nov 23: For the first time this season, the minimum temperature dropped below the freezing point in Srinagar on Wednesday, as per the Meteorological (MeT) department.

According to the weatherman, the coming days would witness a further drop in minimum temperatures across Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.

“Minimum temperature dropped below the freezing point in Srinagar for the first time this season on Wednesday.

Dry weather is likely to continue during the next few days, while the night temperatures are expected to drop further across J&K and Ladakh”, an official of the MeT department said.

Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded minus 0.8 degree Celsius, Pahalgam minus 4.8 degree and Gulmarg minus 3.8 degree as the minimum temperature this morning.

Drass town in Ladakh region registered minus 13.5 degree, Kargil minus 8.4 and Leh minus 9.6 as the minimum temperature, while Jammu clocked 9.2 degrees, Katra 9.6, Batote 6.5, Banihal 9 and Bhaderwah 2.2 degrees.

Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated IFFCO’s Farmer’s Convention on liquid Nano Urea on Tuesday at the Convention Centre here.
Addressing the gathering of farmers and agricultural scientists, the Lt Governor said that the biggest challenge before us today is to make fertilizers more sustainable for future and ensure adequate nutrition.
Nano Urea enhances productivity, quality, reduces CO2 emission, and increases farmer’s profitability, he added.
In order to meet the challenges of climate change, high farm input cost, productivity, resilience against socio-economic factors, we are implementing policies that tackle the problems and create synergies between a range of concerns and with the multiple stakeholders, the Lt Governor said.The Lt

Governor further observed that J&K’s economy is now growing quite strongly & Agri reform is the best cure for sustained growth. “Our steps are focused on enhancing productivity, competitiveness, removing disparities, diversification to higher value commodities, expansion of agro-processing and value chains”, he added.
Noting that relationship between administration and society is changing and people & government are devising a new mechanism to work together, the Lt Governor stressed that farmers and officials should work together and strengthen the collaboration in order to put agri-economy on a new trajectory of growth and better implementation of reforms.
Soil conservation is a global priority now. For better management of agricultural production, investing deeply in soil health, prevention of biodiversity loss is necessary for sustainable growth, said the Lt Governor.
The Lt Governor underscored that Individual Farmer incomes have grown solidly over the last two years and the pace of reform has quickened recently followed by recommendations of Apex Committee on holistic development of Agriculture & allied sectors.
Structural and attitudinal changes are reflecting in productivity performance, adaption of new technologies, expansion of public extension services and strengthening of infrastructure and operations, he added.
We have huge potential for processing, comparative advantage in several Agri-commodities and scope for mobilizing farmers through FPOs and SHGs to monetize produce, secure livelihood and standard of living for farmers and workers, said the Lt Governor.
Congratulating Indian Farmers Fertilizer Cooperative Ltd (IFFCO) for developing Liquid Nano Urea aimed at reducing pollution and increasing crop production, the Lt Governor said Liquid Nano Urea is making a positive impact in J&K’s agriculture sector.
IFFCO’s initiatives like training on the use of Nano Urea, battery-operated sprayers & spray-drones and declaring villages -Akalpur in Jammu and Y.K Pora in Kashmir Valley- as IFFCO Nano Fertilizer Model Villages will surely complement the government’s efforts in protecting and improving fertility of our agricultural fields, he added.
The Lt Governor observed that Dr Mangala Rai-led Apex Committee on Agriculture provides a futuristic roadmap for upliftment of the farming community and making agriculture sustainable and productive for the coming generations, especially for those involved in traditional and high-value crops.

Prof JP Sharma, Vice Chancellor, SKUAST-Jammu highlighted the steps taken and initiatives initiated for increasing farmers’ income through increased production and reducing input cost.
Dr. U.S. Awasthi, Managing Director & CEO, IFFCO, threw light on the key features and benefits of Nano Urea in increasing farm productivity. He said that IFFCO is committed towards the service and welfare of farming community.
KK Sharma, Director, Agriculture, Jammu; Members of Jammu & Kashmir Advisory Board for Development of Kisans; representatives from IFFCO; farmers from different districts, besides officers and scientists of Agriculture department were present on the occasion.