Omar Abdullah says NC awaiting nod for Jantar Mantar protest on statehood
The National Conference party is awaiting official clearance to stage a protest on July 20 concerning the status of the state. Invitations have been extended to various political entities and religious leaders to join the event.
As of Friday, 10 July 2026, political activity in India is intensifying alongside significant Weather-related disruption across the country. Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated that his National Conference party is currently awaiting official permission to hold a protest at Jantar Mantar. The demonstration, which is planned for 20 July, is focused on the status of the state. The National Conference has extended invitations to various political entities, including Kashmir’s chief preacher, Mirwaiz, and the Grand Mufti, to participate in the event.
This political focus in India unfolds against the backdrop of an active southwest monsoon that has now covered the entire country. The India Meteorological Department reported that the monsoon arrived one day behind schedule, but its impact has been widespread. Heavy rains have caused flooding, landslides, and infrastructure damage in multiple states. The extreme weather has resulted in significant waterlogging in Delhi and surrounding regions, though recent heavy showers have provided relief from previous humidity. Notably, Delhi’s air quality reached the "good" category for the first time in nearly three years following the continuous rainfall.
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The monsoon’s intensity has disrupted daily life and transportation across various regions. Central Railway services faced disruptions due to heavy rain, and landslides impacted rail travel between Karjat and Pune. In other areas, heavy rainfall has forced the closure of schools and led to structural failures, including a clock tower collapse at a railway station in Kerala and a building collapse in Pune. Meteorological authorities continue to monitor rainfall trends, noting that while the monsoon has regained strength following a weak June, its uneven distribution poses risks to agricultural prospects and rural demand.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is experiencing a stark north-south divide in weather conditions. According to the Met Office, unsettled conditions and rainfall remain present in the north, while southern and central England are preparing for a period of extended heat. Forecasts from the Met Office indicate that southern and central England could reach temperatures of 35C by the end of this week. This shift follows a period where specific northern regions, including the Highlands, Eilean Siar, and Strathclyde, were placed under yellow alerts for heavy rainfall, bringing warnings of potential travel disruption and flooding. In those affected areas, the Met Office advised residents to prepare for potential power cuts by gathering emergency essentials, such as torches, batteries, and mobile power packs.
Surface pressure patterns, monitored by the Met Office via daily charts, illustrate the distribution of high and low-pressure systems across Europe and the North East Atlantic. Forecasters note that while the southern regions of the UK experience increasingly hot conditions, this warmer air is expected to extend further north across much of the country by the weekend. The Met Office provides updates on these atmospheric data points twice daily, at 0730 UTC and 1930 UTC, to track the evolving weather patterns.
As the Met Office continues its monitoring of the atmospheric transition, public awareness regarding the evolving weather remains a priority. Simultaneously, the National Conference continues its preparations for the 20 July protest, pending the necessary official nod to proceed with the demonstration at Jantar Mantar.
