Three killed as rains, fresh snowfall wreck havoc across Valley
Houses damaged, trees uprooted due to bad weather conditions
Srinagar: Three people were killed while as dozens others were injured after heavy rains lashed most parts of Kashmir division on Wednesday. The strong gusty winds that accompanied the rains also left several houses damaged besides cutting off various areas as many bridges and roads were damaged. Fresh snowfall and rains were also recorded at some parts of Kashmir including the world famous tourist destination Sonamarg and Ladakh.
Director Meteorological Department Sonam Lotus said that there was widespread rain and snow in Drass, Kargil, Zojila, Zanskar till late night.
Giving details of the rainfall from last 48 hours, he said Srinagar recorded 36mm, Qazigund 42mm, Pahalgam 52mm, Kokernag 23mm, Anantnag 30mm, Shalimar 54mm, Sopore (Wadoora) 29mm, Gulmarg 96mm, Kupwara 42mm, , Anantnag (Larnoo) 30mm, Anantnag) (Khudwani) 40mm, Ramban-Banihal 29mm, Banihal 24mm, Batote 20mm, Katra 11mm, Batote 20mm, Kathua(Burmal) 6mm, Kathua(Rajani) 1mm, Poonch (Rajpura Mandi) 42mm, Jamu zero and Drass 10mm.
“Weather is improving gradually in Kashmir but light to moderate rain is most likely to continue throughout the day on Wednesday in Sonmarg, Zojila, Drass, Kargil, Zanskar, Khardongla and some parts of Leh, especially western parts, Doda, Kishtawar,” Lotus said, adding, “There would overall improvement from Wednesday afternoon only.”
He said that the rains are likely to be accompanied with thunderstorms as well.
Meanwhile, four persons including two brothers and their mother were injured after lightning struck at Naidkhai area of Sumbal in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district.
Reports said that lightning struck at Naidkhai when a group of people were busy in planting paddy saplings in the area.
In the incident, four persons suffered injuries and were taken to nearby hospital where from they were referred to JVC hospital Bemina Srinagar for specialized treatment.
A police officer also confirmed the incident and identified the injured as Irfan Rashid Wani, Javid Rashid Wani (both brothers) and their mother Masarat Begum wife of Abdul Rashid Wani and Tahira Begum wife of Muzafar Wani of Poshwari, Naidkhai.
Elsewhere, a nomad from Rajouri was killed and two other members of the family were injured after a tree fell on a tent following high speed winds at upper forest area of Ramwari Gund in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district, officials said.
The deceased has been identified as Mohammad Yousuf Kalada (36) son of Abdul Gani Kalada of Rajouri. The injured Ghulam Haider and Abdul Lateef Sons of Mahmood, both residents of Rajouri, are being evacuated, a police official added.
Meanwhile, two shepherds along with their livestock of, around 400-500 Sheep, got stuck in middle of Doodhganga Naala near Sogam bridge in central Kashmir’s Budgam district as there was heavy water flow in the water body due to overnight rainfall, sources said.
Soon after coming to know about it, members of administration and local volunteers rushed to the area and constructed a temporary overpass and rescued the shepherds along with their livestock.
Meanwhile a diversion (small bridge), constructed post 2014 deluge, at Rumshi Nallah in Rahmoo Pulwama was washed away last night by flash flood, an official added.
He said that a Chinar tree also got uprooted at Bungam Mohalla area of Rahmoo after a cloudburst struck in the area.
Reports said that heavy rains have wreaked havoc in parts of Kashmir as many houses, shops and roads were damaged by flash floods, triggered by the rains.
In Tangmarg area of north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, a bridge collapsed due to flash floods on the intervening night of June 11-12.
Reports said the bridge (Shrai Bridge) connects 14 villages of Tangmarg including Chanderhama, Check, Changel, Wanigam, Kulhama, Darhama, Buderkote, Ringawari, Gogaldore, Darakashi, Mushikhur, Zandpal and Ganiwani with the national highway.
Meanwhile, overnight winds led to uprooting of trees and damage to electric poles in mountains Poonch and Rajouri district as a result of which there was damage to 33000 KV transmission line.
Most of the places in twin districts are without electricity, reports added.
Besides, rooftops of several houses were blown away by the gusty winds in the twin districts last night.
Also a buffalo got killed in lightning at Mandi area of Poonch district, a police official said.
Deputy Commissioner Poonch Rahul Yadav said that administration has started restoration work and the field staff is under strict instructions to restore the electricity in the district.
Meanwhile, two young women died in another mishap in north Kashmir’s Bandipora area after a tree fell on their house damaging it partially.
The two young women were killed after a tree fell on their house following a windstorm amid heavy rains at Chandaji area of north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, reports said.
They said that a tree came crashing on the house of Arif Hussain at Chandaji area, close to the forest area.
In the incident, two women died, they said.
The deceased have been identified as Mubeena Bano daughter of Zakir Hussain and Shareefa (33) wife of Arif Hussain.
SSP Bandipora Rahul Malik also confirmed the death of the two women.
He said a police party was rushed to the site to ascertain further details and for the completion of legal formalities.
The heavy rains also led to flash floods in parts of Baramulla district in north Kashmir, officials said Wednesday.
Heavy overnight rains overnight in the plains have resulted in flash floods in Tangmarg and Pattan areas of Baramulla district, the officials said.
Notably, the heavy rains and thunderstorms alongwith gusty winds also disrupted traffic on the Jammu-Srinagar and Mughal road highways.
Though traffic was restored on the Srinagar-Jammu highway after brief closure due to shooting stones in Ramban, a police official said.
He said that following shooting stones near Digdol and Panthyal in Ramban district on Wednesday, traffic on the all important highway was stopped.
An official of the traffic department said that traffic was closed at around 7:00 am in the morning following shooting stones at Digdol and Panthyal along the Srinagar-Jammu thoroughfare. He said men and machinery was pressed into service following which highway was restored for one way traffic.
“We cleared the stranded traffic after noon. There is improvement in weather which will also help in immediate clearance of the traffic,” the officer said.
Meanwhile, vehicular movement on Mughal road connecting southern Kashmir’s Shopian district with twin districts of Poonch and Rajouri was suspended following landslides and uprooting of trees at several places over the stretch.
Officials said that the landslides have occurred at Mansar Mohre, Poshana and Chattapani while the overnight strong winds have uprooted trees at several places along the road.
KV Correspondent
