1. The largest fires, including the Eaton and Palisades fires, continue to expand, with new evacuations ordered on Saturday. The Palisades fire has burned 22,600 acres and is only 11 per cent contained, while the Eaton fire, affecting the Altadena area, has scorched 14,000 acres with 15 per cent containment. 
2. Winds gusting up to 120 kmph are forecasted for the coming days. “Our concern is winds picking up tonight and then on Monday through Wednesday. The general duration of this is not looking good,” a meteorologist was quoted as saying by the LA Times.
3. The fires have devastated communities, with whole neighbourhoods reduced to ash. US President Joe Biden described the destruction as resembling a “war scene.” A curfew has been imposed in evacuated areas to curb looting, with at least two dozen arrests reported. 
4. Amid growing public frustration, California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered an independent review of the state’s preparedness and response. Concerns over water shortages during the initial firefighting efforts have sparked outrage.
5. Search teams equipped with cadaver dogs have begun combing through the rubble to locate victims. Officials fear the death count could rise. 
6. The fires have destroyed approximately 12,000 structures, although not all were residential. So far, 426 homes have been confirmed lost in the largest fire. The wildfires have unleashed toxic smoke, prompting Los Angeles County to declare a public health emergency. Residents are advised to limit outdoor exposure and use air filtration systems. 
7. A federal investigation is underway to determine the cause of the wildfires. While natural factors often ignite such blazes, human activity cannot be ruled out, officials have said. 
8. Experts have said that climate change is a key factor in the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires. Rising temperatures, prolonged droughts, and dry vegetation create ideal conditions for fires to spread rapidly, putting more communities at risk.
9. The FBI is probing a drone incident linked to the wildfires. A civilian drone collided with a Canadian “Super Scooper” aircraft that was engaged in firefighting the Palisades Fire. The aircraft was forced to be grounded after the collision. 
10. Along with Canada, Mexico has also joined the rescue and firefighting work in California. Over 14,000 firefighters from Mexico are on the ground in the US state to fight the Palisades Fire.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Saturday that he is eagerly looking forward to his visit to the Sonamarg area of Jammu and Kashmir where he is scheduled to inaugurate the Z-Morh tunnel on Monday. The Prime Minister reacted to Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s comments and videos he posted on X, after visiting the Gagangir area on Saturday.

“I am eagerly awaiting my visit to Sonmarg, Jammu and Kashmir for the tunnel inauguration. You rightly point out the benefits for tourism and the local economy. Also, loved the aerial pictures and videos!” PM Modi wrote on X.

I am eagerly awaiting my visit to Sonmarg, Jammu and Kashmir for the tunnel inauguration. You rightly point out the benefits for tourism and the local economy.

Also, loved the aerial pictures and videos! https://t.co/JCBT8Ei175

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 11, 2025

Omar Abdullah visited the Gagangir area of Ganderbal district on Saturday to oversee the arrangements being made for PM Modi’s arrival on Monday.

“Visited Sonmarg today to review preparations for PM @narendramodi ji’s visit on Monday. The inauguration of the Z-morh tunnel will open Sonmarg to tourism all-year-round, Sonmarg will now be developed as a great ski resort. The local population will not have to leave in winter & the travel time to Kargil/Leh from Srinagar will also reduce,” he wrote on X.

The Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister also posted some pictures of the area he visited on Saturday.

Views of the tunnel entrance & Sonmarg from the air. pic.twitter.com/yLOvW87JCW

— Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) January 11, 2025

The Z-Morh tunnel will bypass the troublesome stretch of the highway from Gagangir to Sonamarg that remains closed during the winter months by avalanches and heavy snowfall.

The Prime Minister will also address a public gathering at Sonamarg on Monday.

Arrangements of security have been made at the venues of functions being attended by the Prime Minister. An impregnable security blanket consisting of the SPG, security forces, J&K police and the army has been thrown on the entire area in the 20-km radius of the Prime Minister’s engagement sites.

The Z-Morh tunnel is a 6.5 km long 2-lane road tunnel between Gagangir and Sonamarg in Ganderbal district of Jammu and Kashmir in India. It is named after the Z-shaped stretch of road that the tunnel has replaced (Z-Morh translates to “Z-turn” in English).

The road used before was avalanche-prone and used to get blocked for several months, but the Z-Morh tunnel provides all-weather connectivity to the Sonamarg tourist town.

It takes only 15 minutes to travel the 6.5 km-long tunnel compared to hours over the zig-zag road up and down the hills. The tunnel, once operational, will help employment for local youth, travel to Ladakh region and Amarnath Yatra in addition to giving a big boost to tourism in the area.

Ahead of the formal inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel by PM Modi, the Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister conducted an extensive review of arrangements at the project site.

Accompanied by his Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani and MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali, the CM was briefed by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir Vijay Kumar Bidhuri on the comprehensive preparations for the inauguration of the strategic over 6 km-long tunnel on the Srinagar-Leh Highway.

“The Chief Minister inspected the tunnel tubes and interacted with the engineers and workers involved in the construction of the project, expressing his appreciation for their efforts in completing this vital infrastructure,” an official statement read.

“He also visited the venue where Prime Minister Modi is scheduled to address a public gathering and formally dedicate the project to the nation. Reflecting on the region’s tourism potential, CM Abdullah reiterated his vision of positioning Ganderbal as a premier winter sports destination.

“He emphasised that the Sonamarg Tunnel would not only ensure all-weather connectivity to Sonamarg but also supplement Gulmarg as another skiing and winter sports destination, unlocking new avenues for tourism and economic growth,” it added.

The Sonamarg Tunnel is a significant milestone in improving connectivity between Srinagar and Leh, ensuring all-weather access to Sonamarg and enhancing the region’s economic and tourism prospects.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

The development marks one of the most significant gains for the army in its almost two-year long war with rebel forces. 

​The development marks one of the most significant gains for the army in its almost two-year long war with rebel forces.