Jammu, March 31: At least five glacial lakes in the Kashmir Himalaya have “very high susceptibility” to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), even though they are not immediately unstable, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday.

Speaking in the assembly, Abdullah said a preliminary geospatial analysis was conducted to map downstream exposure of glacial lakes, identifying habitations and critical infrastructure along potential flood paths in districts like Ganderbal, Shopian and Kulgam.

The study was recently conducted by the University of Kashmir, published in the Journal of Glaciology, assessed 155 glacial lakes using hydro-geomorphic indicators such as lake expansion rate, dam stability and surrounding conditions.

According to the study, around 2,704 buildings, nearly 15 major bridges, road segments and at least one hydropower project could be affected in the event of a glacial lake outburst flood — a high-maginitude catastrophic flood caused by the failure of a dam containing a glacial lake.

“The study identified Bramsar, Chirsar, Nundkol, Gangabal and Bhagsar lakes as falling under the ‘very high susceptibility’ category,” he said, replying to a question of National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq.

However, the government stressed that such classification does not mean an imminent threat, but indicates a higher likelihood of outburst only under specific triggering conditions”, Abdullah said.

The chief minister said the assessment provides a baseline for understanding vulnerability and prioritising future detailed studies.

Highlighting gaps in accurate risk estimation, the study said that precise assessment of GLOFs requires reliable data on glacial lake volumes, which can only be obtained through field-based bathymetric measurements— finding out depth and topography of water bodies—currently unavailable for most Himalayan lakes. It added that work in this direction has already been initiated by researchers.

To strengthen scientific assessment, the Department of Geo-informatics, University of Kashmir has procured a high-precision RTK-enabled robotic echo-sounding boat with support from the Ministry of Earth Sciences, it added.

“Bathymetric surveys of at-risk glacial lakes in the western Himalaya are planned for 2026, aimed at improving hydrodynamic modelling and downstream risk evaluation”.

The study pointed out that these high-susceptibility lakes pose potential risks to downstream infrastructure.

Outlining mitigation measures, Abdullah said that continuous monitoring of vulnerable lakes through remote sensing and field assessments is being prioritised.

He added that early-warning systems, ecozonation plans for downstream areas and integration of GLOF risk scenarios into district-level disaster preparedness frameworks are part of the future strategy.

Researchers are also working on developing tailored GLOF early-warning systems for mountainous regions, integrating satellite monitoring, field observations, sensor-based hydro-meteorological inputs and near real-time communication systems to ensure timely detection and dissemination of hazard information, it said.

Jammu, Mar 31: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a drowning incident in the Tawi river at Nagrota.

While the bodies of two boys who drowned in the river on Sunday have been recovered, the search for the third boy is underway.

Sinha also spoke to senior officials and took stock of the search and rescue operations, a Lok Bhawan spokesman said

“The loss of young lives is heart-wrenching. My deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families. We stand in solidarity with them during this difficult time,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The three boys — Bavish Koul (15), Sonam Dutt (16) and Aditya Pandit (15) — were swept away by a strong current near the Nagrota Sainik School on the outskirts of Jammu on Sunday evening.

Teams from the police and other agencies have managed to retrieve the bodies of Koul and Pandit so far.

Jammu, Mar 31: Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Abdul Rahim Rather on Tuesday said the security scenario cannot be taken lightly, asserting that past incidents must guide present decisions.

Intervening after a discussion on the withdrawal of security cover to the National Conference headquarters and several legislators, the Speaker said those who have experienced such situations understand the risks better.

He said that despite claims of improvement, the situation still demands caution. “Keeping in view past security events, we must remain vigilant. Security cannot be treated casually,” he said.

The Speaker added that if the administration believes the situation has fully normal, then it should clearly declare Jammu and Kashmir a risk-free region.

He expressed hope that the concerns raised by legislators would be taken seriously by the concerned authorities. —(KNO)

Jammu, Mar 31: National Conference MLA Tanvir Sadiq on Tuesday said India’s long-standing relationship with Iran positions it as a potential mediator in the ongoing regional tensions, echoing remarks made by former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Speaking to reporters in Jammu, Sadiq said any discussion on international conflicts must take into account historical ties between nations, particularly in the context of India and Iran.

“Whenever we talk about any country, the first thing we should consider is its historical perspective. The relationship between India and Iran has been long-standing and very old,” Sadiq said.

The remarks come after Omar Abdullah suggested that India could play a constructive role in mediating the ongoing conflict involving Iran, citing diplomatic credibility and balanced relations.

Sadiq said India’s diplomatic positioning and historical engagement with Iran provide it with an opportunity to contribute to efforts aimed at de-escalation.

“So when Omar Abdullah says that if any country can mediate at this time and find a solution to this conflict, it is this nation,” he said, referring to India.

Sadiq further said that India’s foreign policy tradition and its engagement with multiple stakeholders in the region enhance its ability to play a constructive role.

|India and Iran share historical, cultural and economic ties, including cooperation in energy and connectivity projects, which have shaped their bilateral relationship over decades,” Tanvir Sadiq said. [KNT]

Ramban, March 31: Vehicular movement on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, NH-44, was suspended on Tuesday after a landslide struck the Mehar area of Ramban district following heavy rainfall, officials said.

The landslide led to accumulation of debris on the road, forcing authorities to halt traffic from both sides as a precautionary measure.

The disruption is significant as NH-44 serves as the only all-weather road link connecting Kashmir with the rest of the country, and any blockage impacts movement of passengers and essential supplies.

Officials said continuous rainfall across the highway stretch has triggered landslides and shooting stones at multiple vulnerable locations, worsening road conditions.

Restoration work has been initiated, with road clearance agencies deploying machinery to remove debris and make the highway traffic-worthy, officials said.

“Traffic has been halted from both sides on the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway due to landslides and shooting stones at several locations, along with continuous rainfall across the entire stretch,” Jammu and Kashmir Police said in an advisory.

Authorities urged commuters to avoid travel on the highway until weather conditions improve and clearance operations are completed.

“People are advised to avoid travel on NH-44 until the weather improves and the road is cleared,” the advisory said.

Traffic officials said stranded vehicles are being managed at designated points, while continuous monitoring of vulnerable stretches is underway.

The Ramban sector of NH-44 is considered one of the most landslide-prone stretches due to its fragile terrain and steep slopes.

Authorities said clearance operations will continue on a priority basis, and traffic will be restored once the road is deemed safe for movement. [KNT]