Umaisar Gull Ganie
Kulgam, Sep 2: A person was killed in a cloud burst incident in Banihal while as several residential houses, vehicles were damaged due to gusty winds in South Kashmir’s Kulgam district on Monday as rains lashed plains in the Union Territory.
Official sources said that a cloud burst was reported near the sports stadium in Banihal area of Jammu result in the death of a person identified as Zahid Ahmed son of Ab Qayoom and resident of Manjoos Srachi Khari.
Srinagar-Leh highway was closed for vehicular movement after fresh mudslides, officials said.
Gusty winds, accompanied by heavy rain, caused huge damage to several residential houses, buildings and several vehicles in south Kashmir’s Kulgam village, officials said.
An official said that a government building in Pombay area and several vehicles that were parked there were damaged after trees were uprooted due to strong winds. The uprooting of trees also affected the power supply in some areas as several lines and transformers got damaged.
He said that rooftops of several residential houses were also damaged, while crops and apple orchards also suffered damage.
The damage to the crops have been reported from Tazipora, Mohanpora and Arreh area in the district.
Director Horticulture, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat said that a massive damage has occurred due to gusty winds today, adding that a visit will be made to the spots tomorrow along with SKUAST-K team to assess the damage.
According to an independent weather forecaster, Faizan Arif Keng, “this afternoon, Kulgam was hit by powerful wind gusts that reached speeds of up to 81 km/h, as recorded by an Automatic Weather Station in the area.”
“Such wind speeds fall within the range associated with a Cyclonic Storm, which is characterized by 3-minute sustained wind speeds between 63 and 87 km/h. There is also a possibility that wind gusts in certain parts of Kulgam may have even exceeded 90 km/h, near a Severe Cyclonic Storm category, which is defined by 3-minute sustained wind speeds between 89 and 117 km/h,” he said, adding that although the sustained winds may not have reached cyclone levels, the wind gusts highlight their intensity.
The rains however, lashed several areas of Jammu and Kashmir, bringing down the mercury in the Union Territory.
As per the data shared by Meteorological department (MeT), Pahalgam has received the highest rainfall in Kashmir division with 10.8 mm followed by 7.4 mm in Gulmarg till 05:30 PM.
Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K has recorded a precipitation of 1.2 mm while Katra in Jammu division received a rainfall of 11.6 mm.
Moreover, Director MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that the weather would remain generally cloudy with possibility of light to moderate rain and thundershower at most places tomorrow.
On September 04 & 05, generally dry weather is expected while on September 6& 07, a brief spell of rain is expected at isolated to scattered places.
However, from September 08 to 13, generally dry weather with possibility of brief showers expected at isolated places.
In its advisory, the MeT has said that there is a possibility of heavy rain till tomorrow at isolated places with possibility of flash floods, landslides, mudslides and shooting stones over few vulnerable places.
“Rise in water level in Local Nallas & flood channels and Water logging in few Low lying areas and possibility of light snowfall over few higher reaches are expected,” it said, adding that the trekkers and tourists are advised to plan accordingly.
Meanwhile, the Srinagar-Leh highway was closed for vehicular movement after fresh mudslides, triggered by rain, occurred at Kullan Gund area in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district.
Officials said that the highway was closed immediately after mudslides occurred at Kullan Gund area this evening
He said that the highway has got completely blocked due to mudslides, while men and machinery have been pressed into service to restore the highway
However, SSG road has been blocked near Shah Mohalla Kullan and the traffic has been diverted through another link Road.
