This special report provides on-the-ground details of the massive fire that broke out in Tengpora area of ​​Srinagar. The fire, which started late at night, quickly spread from temporary tin structures to a carpet warehouse filled with highly flammable materials. The speaker says the incident ‘became a chemical fire’ that required special foam and the latest materials to control it. Although the fire caused massive property damage and took about 14 hours to bring under control, no casualties were reported. The report highlights the efforts of fire services, local administration and volunteers who prevented the flames from reaching nearby residential areas. Furthermore, the incident underlines the recurring threat of fire in the Kashmir Valley during winter, which is often attributed to overloading of electricity along with crude heating devices such as Bukhari and Kangri. An investigation is currently underway to determine the exact cause of the fire and assess the total loss of property in the area.

On this special report, India Today’s Kamaljeet Sandhu provides on-ground updates from Chandigarh as the region is hit by severe cold wave. Temperatures have dropped, forcing residents to gather around tea stalls and bonfires to stay warm. Sandhu says as ‘cold wave conditions persist as temperatures drop’, people are wrapped up in jackets and shawls, especially at transit hubs like the Sector 43 bus stand. While the fog is less dense on city roads, it remains dense on national and state highways in Punjab and Haryana, the report said. The air quality index (AQI) in the city is currently recorded at moderate 131. According to reports, the winter is expected to be at its peak around January 9 and 10, with possible relief expected only after the festival of Lohri. Minor Western Disturbance is said to be the primary reason for the current weather conditions, which is affecting daily life in the Tri-City area and surrounding states.

This special report focuses on the ongoing intense cold wave in the Kashmir Valley. An unidentified speaker said Srinagar recorded the season’s lowest temperature of minus 3.5 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Due to the cold wave, water bodies including the upper layer of ponds have frozen, and the famous Dal Lake is also likely to freeze as the temperature may drop to minus 6 degrees. The report states that cold conditions are prevailing due to heavy snowfall in the hilly areas and entry of icy winds in the plains. Additionally, the speaker noted that the cold wave this year was delayed by 15 days, arriving in January instead of late December.

On this special report, India Today’s Pramod Madhav reports from the Sikandar Basha Dargah atop Tiruparankundram hill in Madurai. The report follows an important judgment of the Madras High Court Division Bench, which had upheld a single-judge order regarding the lighting of the Karthigai Deepam. Pramod Madhav says, ‘The court has said that it has accepted and upheld the order of GR Swaminathan, which had said that the Karthikeya Dibam can be burnt on top of the actual pillar which is 15 meters away from the spot.’ The controversy centered on the “Deepam Thoon” (lamp pillar) located near the compound wall of the Dargah. Despite previous tensions in December, the situation remains calm with a heavy police presence to ensure security. Devotees have been allowed to offer prayers at the dargah after the Santhana Kudaveera ceremony. The court emphasized that it is the responsibility of the state to maintain law and order and criticized the government’s previous way of handling the matter, which ensured that religious practices continued peacefully at this important site.