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The India Meteorological Department's (IMD) Srinagar station had forecast light rain and snowfall for the region on December 27 and 28, but the valley experienced over two feet of snow in some areas, catching residents, authorities, and travellers completely off guard. The failure of weather models to predict this intense spell of snow has raised serious questions about the accuracy and preparedness of the meteorological forecasting system in the region. The inaccurate forecast by the Meteorological Department (MET) in Jammu and Kashmir has created chaos on the ground with many travellers especially tourists found themselves stranded in life-threatening situations. People largely blame the weather department and its current incharge in Jammu and Kashmir Mukhtar Ahmad for the inaccurate prediction that caught everyone off guard. The MET had predicted light rainfall and scattered snowfall in some areas on Friday, but as the day proceeded the plains of Kashmir witnessed heavy snowfall in the afternoon that continued throughout the night leaving people stranded on all the major roads. Meteorologists and independent weather forecasters acknowledged gaps in prediction models, saying the surprise snowfall was due to the region's unique and variable weather patterns. Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, senior scientist at the IMD, said they rely on global models from Europe, the US, Japan and others for forecasting. “None of the models, whether Indian or global, indicated snowfall of this magnitude,” Dr Mukhtar Ahmad admitted. He said models indicated some precipitation in the Jammu and Chenab Valley regions, but there was no significant indication of such heavy snowfall in south Kashmir. “No model suggested heavy snowfall for KMR Div even yesterday. As per f/c,Rain was expected for plains of JAMMU & light snow over middle & higher reaches of Chenab valley & South KMR & didn't expect that much moisture flow over South & Central KMR,” Dr. Mukhtar wrote on X. Sonam Lotus, a senior most official in the Weather Department (IMD) in an X post, said,“Yes, we underestimated this #WesternDisturbance. Will investigate what we Missed & Grow.” The inaccurate and unpredicted weather conditions caught travellers and the administration off guard, leading to significant inconvenience and safety concerns. The heavy snowfall caused roadblocks, particularly on high-altitude routes like Sonamarg, Gulmarg and Pahalgam, where tourists were unprepared for the sudden weather shift. At many places, the local villagers had to unlock mosques and their homes to provide shelter to the stranded travellers.“At some places babies are found in cars without milk and other essential supplies,” as per the social media reels and videos. Around 2000 vehicles were stranded on the vital Srinagar-Jammu National Highway, the valley's lifeline due to the snow accumulation. Similarly, the flight operations at Srinagar International Airport were affected, leaving visitors stuck without proper accommodations. The failure of the MeT Department to predict the intensity of snowfall has drawn severe criticism from both locals and tourists on social media. The Hoteliers and travel agencies expressed frustration, stating that better forecasts could have allowed for more preparation and minimized disruption. People took to the social media platforms to express their frustration and backlash against the MET. Those stuck on several roads shared their ordeals, with some posting pictures of being stranded in snowbound vehicles or makeshift shelters. Others tagged the MET department and government authorities, demanding accountability for the oversight. Faizan Arif, an independent weather forecaster, called for enhanced infrastructure and investment in modern meteorological technology to avoid such forecasting errors in the future. “Advanced meteorological infrastructure and technology are urgently needed in the region,” said Arif. He said the absence of state-of-the-art equipment limits the ability to accurately predict such extreme weather events. Arif said this forecasting lapse highlights the need for better weather prediction tools and enhanced preparedness for extreme climatic conditions, especially in a region as vulnerable as Kashmir. Meanwhile, experts have attributed this weather anomaly to La Niña, which often brings unpredictable weather systems, saying increased moisture flow from the Arabian Sea is a contributing factor. “This unseasonal snowfall is a blessing for water resources but highlights the urgent need for better preparedness,” Dr Mukhtar said. With weather forecasts indicating improved weather conditions in the coming days, independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif said this incident serves as a stark reminder of the region's vulnerability to sudden weather changes. It also underscores the pressing need for robust meteorological advancements for upgrading weather prediction infrastructure in the region, he said. “This is a wake-up call for the government to invest in advanced technology for accurate forecasting,” Arif said, highlighting the gap between local capabilities and global standards. Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group : Join Now Be Part of Quality Journalism Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. 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Seedstars Africa Ventures I has secured a significant milestone with the first close of $42 million for its venture capital fund aimed at scaling digital solutions across Africa. The announcement was made during the 2024 Africa Investment Forum Market Days in Rabat, with major backing from the African Development Bank, EIB Global with EU support, and Boost Africa, among others. The fund, which operates across multiple African markets from offices in Nairobi, Dakar, and Paris, is now targeting an $80 million fundraising goal, having already attracted $50 million in additional commitments. Seedstars Africa Ventures I will focus on early-stage investments in digital tech startups that provide essential services to underserved populations, with a particular emphasis on driving economic growth and social impact. Seedstars Africa Ventures I aims to bridge the gap in early-stage financing by making investments of up to $2 million in seed and Series A rounds, and supporting follow-on funding of up to $5 million. By leading subsequent investment rounds, the fund plans to catalyse further co-investment opportunities while providing hands-on operational support to its portfolio companies. The fund is managed by Maxime Bouan, Tamim El Zein, and Bruce Nsereko Lule, who bring over 45 years of collective experience investing in and supporting ventures across Africa. Seedstars Africa Ventures is part of LBO France Group, which has been instrumental in seeding the initiative as part of its broader African strategy. Robert Daussun, Chairman of LBO France, expressed excitement over the fund’s success. “We are delighted by Seedstars Africa Ventures’ latest milestone, and proud to have been the initial supporter of the team. The portfolio they’ve built is innovative and transformative, already driving significant impact across the continent. We are proud to be part of Africa’s growth story.” Seedstars Africa Ventures I has already invested over $10 million in five companies, focusing on sectors such as climate tech, food systems, energy access, internet connectivity, financial inclusion, and payments infrastructure. These startups are already making a tangible difference in the lives of millions across Africa, with some of their achievements including providing internet access to 60,000 households, supporting 50,000 farmers, and enabling financial inclusion for 30,000 individuals across eight countries. The fund’s portfolio is also fully aligned with the 2X Challenge, ensuring that its investments are empowering women entrepreneurs and leaders in the tech ecosystem. Among the five startups that have received investment are: Speaking on the fund’s impact, Ahmed Attout , Director for Financial Sector Development at the African Development Bank, said, “We view Seedstars Africa Ventures as a strategic opportunity to improve access to finance, particularly for youth and women, while enhancing the availability of risk capital in Francophone Africa, a region that has traditionally struggled with limited access to investment.” Ambroise Fayolle, Vice-President of the European Investment Bank, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of supporting digitalisation across Africa: “Accelerating digitalisation is a priority for the EIB, and we are committed to supporting African businesses that drive innovation and prosperity on the continent.” Seedstars Africa Ventures I’s focus on high-impact, digitally-driven businesses aligns with the fund’s mission to foster growth, innovation, and job creation across the continent. The fund is already on track to meet its $80 million target and remains poised to be a key player in Africa’s expanding venture capital landscape.Syrian insurgents reach the capital's suburbs. Worried residents flee and stock up on supplies