Weather shift, massive fire, and political turmoil in Jammu & Kashmir

According to reports from Sandesh (Desh), The Hindu, and News18, light rain and snowfall are expected in the higher reaches of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh around 5 November due to a weak Western Disturbance. Director of the Meteorological Department Mukhtar Ahmad stated that the weather will remain dry in most areas until 9 November, while the impact of a second Western Disturbance may cause light rain and snowfall in parts of Kashmir and Jammu on 10 and 11 November. Temperatures are dropping in Jammu & Kashmir, and winter is setting in with reduced visibility due to morning fog in the plains. The Meteorological Department has advised farmers to continue with crop harvesting, sowing, repairs, and field preparations, while tourists have been asked to follow traffic guidelines in sensitive or high-altitude areas.

Meanwhile, a massive fire that broke out in the Bemina area of Srinagar on the midnight of 3 and 4 November reduced approximately 80 makeshift huts to ashes, resulting in the death of two people. The fire started at approximately 12:23 AM, and due to the presence of flammable materials in the closely situated huts made of wood and tarpaulin, it spread rapidly, also damaging an adjacent vacant poultry farm. Teams from the Jammu & Kashmir Fire and Emergency Services arrived from JVC, Rawalpora, and Batamaloo headquarters to bring the fire under control. Srinagar’s Deputy Director of Command and Mobilizing Officer Aijaz Ahmad Shah coordinated the rescue operations along with the DFO City and DFO Headquarters.

Two victims who collected waste and scrap died in the fire, including 27-year-old Mohammad Noor Alam (son of Abdul Wahab, originally from Delhi) and 16-year-old Al Amin (son of Mohammad Rafi, originally from Delhi and residing in Kupwara). The site was inspected by the Forensic Science Laboratory (FSL), and after post-mortem, the bodies were handed over to the local police, who subsequently handed them over to the families. Authorities are investigating the cause of this fire, following an earlier fire in October that destroyed 35 to 40 shops in the Shiva Market opposite the Jammu Railway Station.

Furthermore, on Tuesday, 4 November 2026, the ruling National Conference (NC) in Srinagar described the resignation of MP Aga Syed Ruhullah from the Lok Sabha seat and the party as a new attempt to weaken the people of Jammu & Kashmir, labeling it 'Operation Lotus' in the context of the BJP. NC leader and MLA Sajjad Shaheen compared this resignation to the political systems destroyed in 1953 and 1984, raised questions on the statements of BJP leader Ram Madhav, and accused Mr. Ruhullah of double standards and a weak tenure. Another NC leader and MLA Salman Sagar stated that the BJP had succeeded in the exit of Mr. Ruhullah, defended Articles 370 and 35A, criticized Mr. Ruhullah for submitting his resignation to Muhammad Ashraf Mattoo, and claimed there were ego issues with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

Salman Sagar also mentioned that the party would address the concerns of approximately 20 NC MLAs in the next two to three days who had recently criticized the leadership. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary stated that the remarks of BJP National Vice President Ram Madhav proved that Mr. Ruhullah was working under the instructions of the BJP. On 6 November 2026, approximately 17 to 25 disgruntled National Conference MLAs, including 12 members who met at the residence of Gulmarg MLA Farooq Ahmad Shah on Tuesday evening, are planning to meet party president Dr. Farooq Abdullah and Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in Srinagar, where they will present a 10-point memorandum with demands including deadlines and cabinet reshuffles.