Srinagar records highest Feb maximum temperature at 21 degrees C

Posted on by Vividh Bharathi

Srinagar, Feb 21 (IANS) Srinagar recorded its highest-ever maximum temperature for the month of February, with the mercury touching 21 degrees Celsius on Saturday, according to the Meteorological (MeT) Department.

In a statement, the MeT Department said that the maximum temperature recorded in Srinagar on Saturday was 21 degrees Celsius, marking the highest maximum temperature ever recorded in the city during the month of February.

The previous highest maximum temperature for February was recorded at 20.6 degrees Celsius on February 24, 2016.

Saturday’s temperature was around 10 degrees above the normal for Srinagar, indicating a significant departure from seasonal averages.

Other parts of the Kashmir Valley also recorded relatively high temperatures, with Gulmarg registering a maximum of 11.5 degrees Celsius and Pahalgam recording 17.2 degrees Celsius.

In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 25.2 degrees Celsius, which was 2.9 degrees above normal. Katra recorded 25 degrees Celsius, while Batote registered 19.9 degrees Celsius, Banihal 19.8 degrees Celsius, and Bhaderwah 21.3 degrees Celsius.

Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed below-average rainfall and snowfall during the current winter season, and the higher-than-normal temperatures in February have raised concerns among farmers, agriculturists, and orchardists.

Lower precipitation during winter can lead to shortages of drinking water and reduced availability of irrigation water during the summer months.

The situation has been further aggravated by significantly lower snowfall during the 40-day harsh winter period known as ‘Chillai Kalan’, which begins on December 21 and ends on January 30 each year.

This period is traditionally marked by heavy snowfall, which helps replenish glaciers and mountain water reservoirs that sustain water supply during the summer.

However, snowfall during the recent Chillai Kalan period was limited and occurred mainly towards its end, raising concerns about water availability.

With temperatures rising unexpectedly in February, the likelihood of significant snowfall in the coming days has diminished, increasing concerns over water resources.

As a result, March is now seen as a crucial period for snowfall that could help replenish mountain water reserves ahead of the summer season.

–IANS

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Justice Ashutosh Kumar to function as Acting Chief Justice of Patna HC

New Delhi, Dec 13 (IANS) The Centre on Monday issued a notification appointing Justice Ashutosh Kumar as Acting Chief Justice of the Patna High Court, shortly after the elevation of incumbent Chief Justice K. Vinod Chandran to the Supreme Court was cleared.

“In exercise of the power conferred by Article 223 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Ashutosh Kumar, Judge of the Patna High Court, to perform the duties of office of the Chief Justice of that High Court with effect from the date Shri Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran relinquishes charge of his office consequent upon his elevation as a Judge of the Supreme Court of India,” said a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice.

Article 223 of the Constitution empowers the President to appoint any puisne judge as acting Chief Justice when “the office of Chief Justice of a High Court is vacant or when any such Chief Justice is, by reason of absence or otherwise, unable to perform the duties of his office”.

Earlier in the day, the Centre announced the appointment of Justice Chandran to the apex court.

In a post on X, Union Minister for Law and Justice Arjun Ram Meghwal said that the President, after consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI), was pleased to appoint Justice Chandran, Chief Justice of the Patna High Court as an SC judge.

“In exercise of the powers conferred by clause (2) of Article 124 of the Constitution of India, the President is pleased to appoint Shri Justice Krishnan Vinod Chandran, Chief Justice, Patna High Court, to be a Judge of the Supreme Court of India with effect from the date he assumes charge of his office,” said a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Law and Justice.

–IANS

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Rajasthan govt approves land for Bundi Stone Park and Ram Jal Setu Link project

Jaipur, June 11 (IANS) In a move aimed at promoting industrial growth and environmental sustainability, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma has approved two major land allotments under the state’s 2025-26 budget initiatives.

The government has sanctioned the transfer of 47.07 hectares of land in Kachalia village, Taleda tehsil of Bundi district, to the Rajasthan State Industrial Development and Investment Corporation (RIICO) for the development of a Stone Park.

The allotment was made under Section 92 of the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act, 1956, and Rule 11A of the Rajasthan Land Revenue (Industrial Area Allotment) Rules, 1959.

The proposed Stone Park will serve as an organised hub for mineral-based, non-polluting industries, aimed at attracting fresh investments, boosting value-added production, and creating employment for local youth.

According to officials, units will be permitted only if located at least 1.5 km away from any residential area to ensure minimal environmental and social impact.

The park is expected to catalyse downstream industrial activity, promote technological innovation, and enhance Bundi’s growing mineral economy.

In a parallel move to offset environmental impact caused by infrastructure development under the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) — also known as the Ram Jal Setu Link Project — the Chief Minister has approved the allotment of 34.41 hectares of land in Chhabra tehsil, Baran district, to the Forest Department.

This land transfer compensates for forest land impacted by the construction of the Ramgarh and Mahalpur barrages, as well as the Navnera-Galwa-Bisalpur-Isarda link canal project.

It reaffirms the state’s commitment to ecological conservation and mandates the Forest Department to manage and restore the affected areas.

Together, these approvals underscore the Rajasthan government’s twin focus on industrial expansion and environmental sustainability, laying the foundation for balanced, long-term growth.

–IANS

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Bengaluru: Nursing student raped by PG owner after confessing to theft; accused held

Bengaluru, June 25 (IANS) An incident has been reported from Bengaluru on Wednesday where a nursing student was allegedly raped by the owner of a paying guest (PG) accommodation after she confessed to a theft, officials said.

The police have arrested the accused.

The arrested person has been identified as 35-year-old Ravi Teja Reddy, the owner of the PG facility.

According to the police, Reddy raped the 21-year-old woman after she admitted to stealing three gold rings from another girl residing in the same PG.

Following the victim’s complaint, Reddy has been booked for rape and taken into police custody.

The victim, a nursing graduate from Andhra Pradesh, had joined the PG only a week prior to the incident and was searching for a job, the police said.

Investigations revealed that the victim had allegedly stolen three gold rings from another PG inmate.

She had also disconnected the CCTV camera wire during the theft.

However, she asked another inmate whether the CCTV footage would still be recorded despite the wire of the CCTV camera being cut.

This conversation was shared with Reddy, which raised his suspicion on the nurse.

Reddy then summoned the victim for questioning and threatened to hand her over to the police.

The girl reportedly confessed to the theft, after which Reddy instructed his aides to retrieve the hidden valuables, police added.

When the victim pleaded with Reddy to forgive her and not to inform the police, he allegedly slapped her and sexually assaulted her.

Initially hesitant to file a complaint, the victim later confided in a male friend.

The friend then contacted a city-based advocate, who helped lodge a formal complaint with the police.

Based on the complaint, the police sent the victim for a medical examination and arrested the accused.

Reddy has been booked under Sections 64(1), 74, and 75(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act.

In her complaint, the victim said that Reddy initially touched her private parts under the pretext of checking her.

When she resisted, he allegedly forced her to perform oral sex.

The FIR further mentions that the victim, unable to control her urge to vomit after the assault, ran to the restroom.

Reddy followed her and allegedly forced her to have unnatural sex again.

The victim also said that Reddy later threatened her not to reveal the incident to anyone.

It was only after the victim’s friends came to her support that she gathered the courage to file a complaint.

–IANS

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