Windstorm wreaks havoc across Kashmir

Srinagar, May 19: A powerful windstorm swept across the Kashmir Valley late Sunday night, leaving a trail of destruction, widespread power outages, and at least two deaths. The Meteorological Department had earlier warned of moderate to intense thundershowers accompanied by strong gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-60 kilometers per hour.
The most tragic incident was reported from south Kashmir’s Shopian district, where a father and daughter lost their lives after a massive tree fell on them outside their residence in Gadarchowgan Keller. The deceased have been identified as Reyaz Ahmed and his young daughter Sabia. Local residents said they had stepped out to secure loose items in their yard when the tree came crashing down.
From north to south, nearly every district in the Valley experienced damage from the storm. The winds uprooted trees, toppled electric poles, blew away the rooftops of dozens of homes and mosques, and shattered glass signboards and hoardings in several towns.
In Srinagar city, large hoardings collapsed onto parked vehicles and sidewalks, while flying tin sheets from rooftops caused injuries in several localities. At least five people were admitted to hospitals in Srinagar and Anantnag with storm-related injuries, though none were reported to be in critical condition.
Massive damage was reported to the apple orchards and nurseries across Budgam, Pulwama, Tangmarg, and Baramulla. In the Karewa belt of Pulwama, farmer Bashir Ahmed said, “All the newly planted apple saplings in my nursery have been uprooted. This is a devastating loss. We are staring at financial ruin.
Power infrastructure also took a major hit. The storm disrupted electricity supply in dozens of areas, especially in Kupwara, Ganderbal, Anantnag, and Bandipora. According to the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL), several distribution transformers were damaged while dozens of transmission lines snapped under pressure from falling trees and debris.
Water supply in many areas was also affected after the winds damaged pumping stations and lifted tin sheds of filtration plants. “In some areas, we had to suspend water supply because the overhead storage tanks were damaged,” said an official from the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department.
In Budgam, several vehicles parked along streets were struck by flying debris, causing damage to windshields and roofs. District authorities across Kashmir have initiated damage assessments and are compiling reports from various tehsils.
The Divisional Commissioner Kashmir said in a late-night statement that emergency response teams, including SDRF, were on alert and had been deployed to assist in clearing roads blocked by fallen trees and debris. “Restoration of essential services is underway on war footing,” he said.
Meanwhile, the MeT department has forecast more rain and thundershowers in isolated places over the next 24 hours but ruled out another windstorm of similar intensity for now. Residents, however, have been advised to secure loose items and stay indoors during inclement weather. [KNT]