Potholes mar key roads in Baramulla, highway stretch worst hit The 6-kilometer road stretch between Khanpora and Kanispora in Baramulla is in severe disrepair, with potholes widening over time due to a lack of maintenance. These deteriorating conditions have led to significant damage to vehicles and frustration among commuters. The Srinagar–Baramulla highway, particularly this stretch, has become a source of complaint as travelers endure a hazardous journey filled with deep potholes. Authorities have been criticized for neglecting road maintenance, leaving the district’s roads in a state of disrepair. Commuters, especially those traveling to healthcare centers such as GMC Baramulla or Srinagar hospitals, face heightened risks. Ashiq Hussain, a local resident, highlighted the dangers for expectant mothers, noting that the poor road conditions could lead to complications during travel to medical facilities. Transporters have also voiced concerns about the impact on their vehicles. Irshad Ahmad, president of the Transporters Association Baramulla, stated that potholes have caused extensive damage to suspension systems, increasing repair costs for drivers. The situation is not limited to Baramulla; the road from Sangrama to Sopore, a town known for its apple production, is similarly plagued by massive potholes. The condition of the bypass bridge connecting to Kupwara is equally alarming. Despite recent lighting installations, the bridge’s surface is severely damaged by potholes, posing a risk to vehicles carrying agricultural produce destined for markets across the country. Civil society members have repeatedly called for urgent action, emphasizing the need for a sustainable maintenance system. Fayaz Ahmad, a civil society member, explained that road damage worsens over time due to inadequate follow-up after macadamization.#srinagar #baramulla #khanpora #kanispora #gmc_baramulla
Four-Day Bank Holiday Next Week: Check the Dates Now Banks across several Indian cities will remain closed for four consecutive days starting next week due to public holidays. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has released the annual bank holiday calendar, which outlines the specific dates and locations where banking services will be unavailable. Customers are advised to check the holiday schedule for their respective cities before planning visits to financial institutions. On March 17, banks in Jammu and Srinagar will be closed on Tuesday to commemorate Shab-e-Qadr, a significant Islamic observance. In other parts of the country, normal banking operations will continue as usual. The following day, March 19, will see closures in multiple cities including Belapur, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Imphal, Jammu, Srinagar, Mumbai, Nagpur, Panaji, and Vijayawada. This holiday is observed for several festivals such as Gudi Padwa (a traditional Marathi New Year), Ugadi Festival (Kannada New Year), Telugu New Year’s Day, Sajibu Nongmapanba (Cheiraoba, a Manipuri festival), and the first day of Navaratri. On March 20, banks in Jammu, Srinagar, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayawada, and other locations will remain closed to mark Eid-ul-Fitr, a major Islamic holiday celebrating the end of Ramadan. The final day of the four-day closure will be March 21, when banks across the country will be shut down to observe Ramadan-Eid, a festival marking the conclusion of the holy month of Ramadan. The RBI’s holiday schedule highlights the cultural and religious significance of these dates, which vary by region and community. Customers are encouraged to plan accordingly to avoid disruptions in banking services.#srinagar #bengaluru #reserve_bank_of_india #jammu #belapur
Weather improves in J&K; rain, snow likely around Eid Following two days of rainfall in the plains and snowfall in hill resorts, mountainous regions, and high passes, weather conditions in Jammu and Kashmir have seen an improvement, with partially clear skies now visible across the region. The summer capital, Srinagar, is among the areas experiencing this shift. The change comes as the region prepares for the Eid holiday, with forecasts indicating potential for rain and snowfall during the festive period. The weather update was published on March 18, 2026, at 3:04 AM IST, by HT Correspondent based in Srinagar. Copyright 2026 HindustanTimes.#srinagar #hindustan_times #jammu_and_kashmir #eid #ht_correspondent
New Voter Data Released: A Deep Dive into Jammu and Kashmir's Electoral Roll Revision The latest electoral roll revision in Jammu and Kashmir has resulted in the addition of over 160,000 new voters, alongside the removal of 67,690 names and the correction of 229,920 entries. Official reports highlight the scale of the update, which aims to ensure the accuracy and completeness of the voter database across the Union Territory. Among the districts, Jammu recorded the highest number of deletions, attributed to duplicate and shifted entries, while Srinagar saw the most significant increase in new registrations. The revision reflects broader efforts to modernize and refine the electoral process in the region. Initiatives such as the Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program are playing a key role in this effort, focusing on expanding voter awareness and registration, particularly among youth, women, and marginalized communities. These programs underscore the government’s commitment to making electoral participation more inclusive and accessible. The data also reveals the challenges inherent in maintaining an accurate voter list. The removal of 67,690 entries underscores the need to address outdated or incorrect information, while the correction of 229,920 records highlights the complexity of reconciling discrepancies. Such updates are critical for ensuring fair and transparent elections, as they help prevent issues like voter fraud and ensure that every eligible citizen is properly represented in the electoral rolls. The revision comes at a time when voter registration and participation are central to political discourse in Jammu and Kashmir. The SVEEP program, which has been active in the region, is part of a larger national initiative to boost voter enrolment and engagement.#srinagar #jammu_and_kashmir #electoral_roll_revision #jammu #sveep_program
Snow, rainfall continue to lash Kashmir for second day Snowfall in Kashmir's upper reaches and moderate rain in the Valley plains persisted for the second consecutive day on Wednesday, according to officials. The precipitation, which began on Tuesday, marked the end of a prolonged dry spell in Jammu and Kashmir. Areas such as Keran and Macchil in Kupwara district, Gurez in Bandipora district, and the Sonamarg-Zojila axis in Ganderbal district experienced snowfall, while the Valley's plains, including Srinagar, continued to receive rain. The winter season, spanning December 2025 to February 2026, concluded with a significant shortfall in rainfall. The region received only 100.6 mm of precipitation, far below the normal of 284.9 mm. December alone saw a 78 per cent deficit, with actual rainfall at 13 mm compared to the normal 59.4 mm. January recorded 73.4 mm, a 23 per cent departure from the expected 95.1 mm. February, however, faced an even greater shortfall, with actual rainfall at 14.2 mm against the normal of 130.4 mm, representing an 89 per cent deficit. The unusually high temperatures in February further exacerbated the situation. Srinagar's average daytime temperature reached 15.6 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous record of 14.9 degrees Celsius set in 2016. The second fortnight of the month saw temperatures rise to 20 degrees Celsius, pushing the monthly average past the 15-degree mark. While January saw some western disturbance activity, the rainfall remained below normal and could not offset December's deficit. Meteorological officials forecast continued cloudy weather with moderate rain or snow in higher reaches over the next 24 hours. Kupwara, Bandipora, Ganderbal, and Anantnag may experience moderate snowfall in a few areas.#srinagar #bandipora #kashmir #kupwara #ganderbal
Jammu and Kashmir Weather Today: Rain and snowfall likely, IMD issues advisory Jammu and Kashmir is expected to experience rain and snowfall today, marking a shift from several days of unusually warm weather. The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has issued an alert, warning that higher elevations in Kashmir will see snowfall while plains will receive rain. Farmers are advised to pause agricultural activities, and high winds are anticipated. A dry spell is expected to follow the unsettled weather before another system arrives. The region has endured a prolonged heatwave, with temperatures significantly above seasonal averages. Until recently, the deviation from normal temperatures reached nearly 10 degrees. This unusual warmth has prompted officials to issue warnings about potential disruptions on mountain roads due to fresh snowfall. The weather forecast indicates cloudy skies across the Union Territory, with light to moderate rain likely in many areas. Snowfall is expected in higher reaches of north and central Kashmir. Fresh snow may impact travel on high-altitude roads and mountain passes. Farmers have been specifically advised to suspend agricultural work and spraying activities for the next two days due to the expected weather conditions. Thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 30–40 km per hour may occur on March 11. After the rain and snowfall, a dry spell is predicted from March 12 to 14, with another weather system potentially arriving after this period. Forecasters anticipate unsettled conditions through the third week of March. Light rain or snow is expected on the night of March 15, and further rain and snowfall may occur in several locations from March 17 to 20. Temperature readings from Tuesday highlight the unusual warmth: Jammu recorded a maximum of 31.2°C, 5.#srinagar #gulmarg #jammu_and_kashmir #indian_meteorological_department #kashmir_valley
