SRINAGAR: The Government has ordered constitution of Union territory Level Inter Departmental Coordination Committee and District Level Inter Departmental Coordination Committees on registration of Births and Deaths in Jammu and Kashmir.
According to an order, the UT-level committee is headed by Administrative Secretary, Planning, Development & Monitoring Department, the members of the committee include Administrative Secretary or Representative not below the rank of Additional Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department, Administrative Secretary/ Representative not below the rank of Additional Secretary, Department of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Department, Administrative Secretary/Representative not below the rank of Additional Secretary, Health & Medical Education Department, Director Census Operations, J&K/Representative, Director General, Economics & Statistics, J&K (Chief Registrar, (Births & Deaths), Commissioner Municipal Corporation, Jammu/Srinagar, Regional Director (E&S), (Additional Chief Registrar, Births & Deaths), Jammu Kashmir, Director Rural Development Jammu/Kashmir, Director, Health Services, Jammu/ Kashmir and Director, Urban Local Bodies, Jammu/Kashmir.
The 12-member committee has been tasked to ensure smooth implementation of Civil Registration System; to bring interdepartmental co-ordination of departments engaged in civil registration to resolve the operational problems affecting the registration work; to discuss and resolve the issues which requires intervention at the top level; to co-ordinate, unify and supervise the work of registration for securing an efficient system of registration; any other issues for smooth implementation in the UT of Jammu & Kashmir; and to convene meeting(s) at UT Level at least once in a year.
The District level Inter Departmental Coordination Committee(s) comprises Deputy Commissioner (Concerned) as chairman and its members include Additional Deputy Commissioner (Concerned),
The terms of reference include to ensure smooth implementation of Civil Registration System; to bring interdepartmental co-ordination of departments engaged in civil registration to resolve the operational problems affecting the registration work; to discuss and resolve the issues which requires intervention at the top level; iv. to co-ordinate, unify and supervise the work of registration for securing an efficient system of registration; any other issues for smooth implementation in the districts; and to convene quarterly meeting(s) at District Level. (GNS)
SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir’s Director General of Police (DGP) Dilbagh Singh Friday said that the April 21 attack in Bhata Durian area of Poonch in which five soldiers were killed was carried out with active local support and militants had used steel-coated armour-piercing bullets and IEDs to target army vehicle to inflict maximum damage.
He said intense search to track the natural hide-outs used by militants is being launched and initial investigations suggest that nine to 12 foreign militants may be active in Rajouri-Poonch area, who may have infiltrated recently.
Talking to reporters after taking stock of the ongoing search operations in Darhal area of Rajouri district, DGP Singh said that the Poonch attack was carried out with active support of locals.
“Such attacks can’t be carried out without local support. The militants were provided shelter at one place and then provided transport to carry out the attack at another place. They had done proper recee of the area and despite rain they succeeded to target the army vehicle that was plying with almost zero speed due to blind turn,” the DGP said, adding that “the attackers knew the spot and speed of the vehicle.”
The DGP said that the terrorist used steel-coated armour-piercing bullets and IEDs to blow the army vehicle in a bid to inflict maximum damage. “Same bullets were used in the Dhangri, Rajouri attack. The Poonch attack was carried out near a forest area. Initial investigations suggest that the terrorists may have used natural hideouts. We are identifying the natural hide-outs that may have been used by the attackers before the attack and intense search operation is on to nab the attackers,” he said.
Replying to a query, he said that the group of terrorists involved in the recent attack may be divided into two and their number seems to be between nine to twelve.
About the local support, he said that the local Nisar Ahmed, a resident of Gursai village, was already in the suspect list of police. “He has been an active OGW of terrorists since 1990. He was questioned several times in the past. This time, after corroborating the evidence, he was found involved in providing logistic and other support to terrorists who carried out the Poonch attack,” the DGP said, adding that Nisar’s family is also involved in providing support to terrorists.
On whether terrorists had got weapons through drones, the DGP said that weapons, grenades and cash was air-dropped by drone and the same was collected by Nisar and his family members.
“We are identifying the spot where the drone had dropped the weapons and cash,” he said. He said so far, 200 people were questioned and 12 suspects have been detained. He said with the arrest of Nisar, the investigation has got a direction and vital leads have been received so far. (KNO)
SRINAGAR: Authorities in the Regional Transport office here on Friday asked all the registered dealers, officers, officials of the Motor Vehicle Department and insurance agencies not to make any sale, purchase or register any vehicle involving a minor.
A circular, issued by the Office of the Regional Transport Officer (RTO), Kashmir, reads that it has observed that motor vehicle dealers have sold and registered motor vehicles in the name of minors, which amounts to a violation of Section 10 of the Indian Contract Act, 1872.
In the circular, it is underlined that under the Indian Contract Act, 1872, any sale agreement executed with a minor is deemed void ab initio, adding that a registered motor vehicle along with its registered owner is a legal person and in case of violation of provisos of motor vehicle laws and rules made thereunder, by any such vehicle invokes penal action against the owner.
“Now, therefore, in the interest of law and justice, it is enjoined upon all the registered dealers, officers/officials of the motor vehicle department, the general public, insurance agencies, and other stakeholders, not to make any sale/purchase or to register any vehicle involving a minor,” the order reads. (KNO)
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education (BOSE) has warned all the private schools of action for misleading parents and the students by using hoardings that falsely indicate they are affiliated with other recognized boards or imparting studies on other patterns.
Secretary JKBOSE has issued a circular to all private academic institutions affiliated with them, cautioning against the use of misleading hoardings.
To prevent such fraudulent practices, the circular states that all institutions must install signboards that clearly reflect the name of their institution with the “School Code” along with the name of the affiliating boards as “Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education” in bold letters.
To ensure adherence to the circular, the BOSE has directed all Deputy, Assistant, and Incharge Officers of the Sub and Branch Offices of the Kashmir Division to acquire an action taken report with GI-tagged photographic proof from all affiliated academic institutions in their respective domains.
The schools have been asked to submit the action taken report to the office of the Joint Secretary, General, Kashmir Division, within a period of seven working days.
An official said the directive is intended to provide the BOSE with firsthand information about the implementation of the circular.
“Such measures will prevent any further misleading of gullible students and ensure that academic institutions affiliated with the Jammu and Kashmir Board of School Education maintain transparency in their operations,” the Board official said. (KNO)
SRINAGAR: The High Court of JK and Ladakh High while taking serious note of the deaths caused due to electrocution and injuries due to electric shocks, ordered for the constitution of a committee to ensure the implementation of statutory safety measures and regulations enshrined in the Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010, in letter and spirit.
The three member panel will be headed by the Commissioner Secretary, State’s Power Development Department (PDD) and will comprise of the Chief Engineers of the Department.
The court has also directed District Magistrates of all districts in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh to ensure compliance with Regulation 58 of Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and Electric Supply) Regulations, 2010 on a war footing, which provides for clearance above ground level of conductors of overhead lines, including electricity service lines.
While awarding compensation of Rs 10 lakh to the family of Jatinder Kumar, a casual labourer, who died while carrying out restoration work on a transformer in Jammu, a bench comprising Justice Wasim Sadiq Nargal observed that that the accident occurred due to non-adherence to safety measures such as local earthings, hand insulating gloves, proper isolation, and other safety measures by the maintenance staff. “The deceased worker’s mother, wife, and daughter will receive the compensation within two months of the court order,” the bench concluded.
“It appears that deaths due to electrocution as well as bodily injuries due to electric shocks are ignored as mere accidents. The colossal loss of human lives and especially children is totally unacceptable, grim and heart rending. Such unfortunate deaths continue to occur flouting statutory measures,” bench observed.
“Article 21 of constitution ensures fundamental rights to each citizen of the country which are inalienable in nature and guarantees citizens right to live and to be treated as an individual of worth,” it added.
Justice Nargal further emphasized that, “any omission in preventing the discharge of high voltage electric energy by anyone engaged in the activity of supplying such electric energy is liable to compensate for the damage caused to a human life because of such energy.”
SRINAGAR: Weather department on Friday forecast “improvement” in weather from afternoon onwards but said that there are more rains in store till May 4 in Jammu and Kashmir.
Quoting a metrological department official, GNS reported that Improvement in weather is expected from afternoon onward.
From April 29- May 2nd, he said, the weather is expected to be partly cloudy. “Possibility of intermittent rain/thunderstorm at scattered places is expected towards late afternoon/evening (50% chance).”
From May 3-4, he said, there is possibility of widespread light to moderate rain and thunder expected in J&K. “Some places are likely to receive heavy rains,” he said.
Overall, he said, “weather is very likely to remain erratic till May 4.”
“Farmers are advised to postpone spraying of orchards till May 4,” he added.
In last 24 hours till 8:30 a.m. this morning, Srinagar recorded 18.6mm of rain, Qazigund 6.8mm, Pahalgam 7.7mm, Kupwara 15.3mm, Kokernag 5.0mm, Gulmarg 26.4mm and Banihal 1.1mm.
Regarding temperature, he said, Srinagar recorded a low of 6.5°C against 7.0°C on the previous night and it was 2.8°C below normal for the summer capital.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 6.8°C against 6.6°C on the previous night and it was 1.0°C below normal for the gateway town of Kashmir.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 4.2°C against 3.5°C on previous night and it was 0.2°C below normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kokernag recorded a low of 5.7°C against 5.2°C on the previous night and it was 2.4°C below normal for the place, the officials said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of minus 1.0°C against minus 0.5°C on previous night and it was 5.2°C below normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.
In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 5.6°C against 3.4°C on the previous night and it was 2.2°C below normal for the north Kashmir area.
Jammu recorded a low of 19.4°C against 19.1°C on the previous night. It was 2.8°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.
Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 8.3°C (1.4°C below normal), Batote 10.4°C (1.6°C below normal), Katra 16.8°C (2.1°C below normal) and Bhadarwah 7.8°C (1.1°C below normal). Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil recorded a low of minus 2.2°C and 4.6°C respectively, the official said.
SRINAGAR: Baramulla police on Friday said to have arrested a ready-made garments shop owner for secretly recording videos in a changing room.
In a statement, a police spokesman said that police Station Chandoosa received a written complaint from one minor girl (name withheld) accompanied by her sister wherein she stated that on April 26th, 2023 she went to a readymade shop at Bandi Payeen belonging to one Aijaz Ahmad Sofi S/O Gh Nabi Sofi R/O Bandi Payeen Chandoosa and selected some clothes and went to changing room for trial. After entering in the changing room she found a hidden mobile phone which was kept there for secretly recording the customer’s videos while changing clothes, he said.
Acting promptly upon the complaint, case FIR under sections of IPC, IT acr & POCSO Act was registered in Police Station Chandoosa and investigation was taken up, the statement said.
He said, during the course of investigation, a team headed by SHO PS Chandoosa, Inspector Irfan Ahmad under the supervision of SDPO Kreeri, Khalid Aahraf was constituted and the accused person namely Aijaz Ahmad Sofi S/O Gh Nabi Sofi R/O Bandi Payeen Chandoosa (owner of the shop) was taken into custody immediately in the instant case. Mobile devices of the accused have also been seized and further investigation is going on.
Community members are requested to be careful while using trail rooms, the spokesman added. (KDC)
SRINAGAR: Authorities have closed Srinagar-Kargil highway due to fresh snowfall while vehicular movement has been badly affected due to breakdown of a big trailer truck on Jammu-Srinagar national highway at Dalwas, officials said Friday.
An official said that “up HMVs tail has been delayed due to the breakdown of a big trailer at Dalwas.”
He advised commuters to cooperate with the traffic officials manning the highway.
On Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gomri (SSG) road, which connects Ladakh with Kashmir valley, he said that the route has been closed for traffic due to fresh snowfall. Pertinently, the road was partially opened for traffic on Thursday after remaining closed for 11 days due to snow avalanches at Zojila Pass.
The closure has affected traffic in the area, with commuters advised to find alternative routes. Authorities are working hard to clear the snow and reopen the road as soon as possible, but the process is expected to take some time.
Meanwhile, the Mughal road continues to remain closed for traffic. The road, which connects Kashmir valley with Rajouri and Poonch regions, remains shut in winters due to heavy snowfall. The road is expected to open for traffic soon as authorities are clearing the snow from the historic road.
Traffic update @ 0730 hrs Up HMVs tail delayed due 2 breakdown of big trailer at Dalwas. People r advised 2 co-operate plz. SSG road closed due 2 snowing. Mughal road is closed.@ddnewsladakh@ddnews_jammu@ddnewsSrinagar
University of Washington professor of seismology and geohazards Harold Tobin who also heads the Pacific Northwest Seismic Network, explains the differences between predicting and forecasting earthquakes
An aerial view of the devastation by the February 2023 earthquake in Hatay, Turkey.
In short, no. Science has not yet found a way to make actionable earthquake predictions. A useful prediction would specify a time, a place and a magnitude – and all of these would need to be fairly specific, with enough advance notice to be worthwhile.
For example, if I predict that California will have an earthquake in 2023, that would certainly come true, but it’s not useful because California has many small earthquakes every day. Or imagine I predict a magnitude 8 or greater earthquake will strike in the Pacific Northwest. That is almost certainly true but doesn’t specify when, so it’s not helpful new information.
Earthquakes happen because the slow and steady motions of tectonic plates cause stresses to build up along faults in the Earth’s crust. Faults are not really lines, but planes extending down miles into the ground. Friction due to the enormous pressure from the weight of all the overlying rock holds these cracks together.
An earthquake starts in some small spot on the fault where the stress overcomes the friction. The two sides slip past each other, with the rupture spreading out at a mile or two per second. The grinding of the two sides against each other on the fault plane sends out waves of motion of the rock in every direction. Like the ripples in a pond after you drop in a stone, it’s those waves that make the ground shake and cause damage.
Most earthquakes strike without warning because the faults are stuck – locked up and stationary despite the strain of the moving plates around them, and therefore silent until that rupture begins. Seismologists have not yet found any reliable signal to measure before that initial break.
What about the likelihood of a quake in one area?
On the other hand, earthquake science today has come a long way in what I’ll call forecasting as opposed to prediction.
Seismologists can measure the movement of the plates with millimetre-scale precision using GPS technology and other means, and detect the places where stress is building up. Scientists know about the recorded history of past earthquakes and can even infer farther back in time using the methods of paleo-seismology: the geologically preserved evidence of past quakes.
Putting all this information together allows us to recognize areas where conditions are ripe for a fault to break. These forecasts are expressed as the likelihood of an earthquake of a given size or greater in a region over a period of decades into the future. For example, the US Geological Survey estimates the odds of a magnitude 6.7 or greater quake in the San Francisco Bay Area over the next 30 years is 72 per cent.
Are there any hints a quake could be coming?
A meme that somebody set on social media after the September 22, 2020 evening tremors and it moved faster than the earthquake.
Only about 1 in 20 damaging earthquakes have foreshocks – smaller quakes that precede a larger one in the same place. By definition, they aren’t foreshocks, though, until a bigger one follows. The inability to recognize whether an earthquake in isolation is a foreshock is a big part of why useful prediction still eludes us.
However, in the past decade or so, there have been a number of massive earthquakes of magnitude 8 or more, including the 2011 magnitude 9.0 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan and a 2014 magnitude 8.1 in Chile. Interestingly, a larger fraction of those very biggest earthquakes seem to have exhibited some precursory events, either in the form of a series of foreshocks detected by seismometers or sped-up movements of the nearby Earth’s crust detected by GPS stations, called “slow slip events” by earthquake scientists.
These observations suggest that perhaps there really are precursory signals for at least some huge quakes. Maybe the sheer size of the ensuing quake made otherwise imperceptible changes in the region of the fault prior to the main event more detectable. We don’t know, because so few of these greater-than-magnitude-8 earthquakes happen. Scientists don’t have a lot of examples to go on that would let us test hypotheses with statistical methods.
In fact, while earthquake scientists all agree that we can’t predict quakes today, there are now essentially two camps: In one view, earthquakes are the result of complex cascades of tiny effects – a sensitive chain reaction of sorts that starts with the proverbial butterfly wing flapping deep within a fault – so they’re inherently unpredictable and will always remain so. On the other hand, some geophysicists believe we may one day unlock the key to prediction if we can just find the right signals to measure and gain enough experience.
How do early warning systems work?
One real breakthrough today is that scientists have developed earthquake early warning systems like the USGS ShakeAlert now operating in California, Oregon and Washington State. These systems can send out an alert to residents’ mobile devices and to operators of critical machinery, including utilities, hospitals, trains and so on, providing warning of anywhere from a few seconds to more than a minute before shaking begins.
This sounds like an earthquake prediction, but it is not. Earthquake early-warning relies on networks of seismometers that detect the very beginning of an earthquake on a fault and automatically calculate its location and magnitude before the damaging waves have spread very far. The sensing, calculating and data transfer all happen near the speed of light, while the seismic waves move more slowly. That time difference is what allows early warning.
For example, if an earthquake begins off the coast of Washington state beneath the ocean, coastal stations can detect it, and cities like Portland and Seattle could get tens of seconds of warning time. People may well get enough time to take a life safety action like “Drop, Cover and Hold On” – as long as they are sufficiently far away from the fault itself.
What complications would predicting bring?
While earthquake prediction has often been referred to as the “holy grail” of seismology, it actually would present some real dilemmas if ever developed.
First of all, earthquakes are so infrequent that any early methods will inevitably be of uncertain accuracy. In the face of that uncertainty, who will make the call to take a major action, such as evacuating an entire city or region? How long should people stay away if a quake doesn’t materialize? How many times before it’s a boy-who-cried-wolf situation and the public stops heeding the orders? How do officials balance the known risks from the chaos of mass evacuation against the risk from the shaking itself? The idea that prediction technology will emerge fully formed and reliable is a mirage.
It is often said in the field of seismology that earthquakes don’t kill people, buildings do. Scientists are already good enough today at forecasting earthquake hazards that the best course of action is to redouble efforts to construct or retrofit buildings, bridges and other infrastructure so they’re safe and resilient in the event of ground shaking in any area known to be at risk from large future quakes. These precautions will pay off in lives and property saved far more than a hoped-for means of earthquake prediction, at least for the foreseeable future.
(The author is Professor of Seismology and Geohazards, University of Washington. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.)
