Torrential rains, gusty winds wreak havoc

Srinagar: Torrential rains, gusty winds wreak havoc in some parts of Kashmir Valley on Tuesday. Trees were uprooted at many places while a chinar tree fell on a house in Central Kashmir, damaging its second storey.
Torrential rains lashed parts of Kashmir including Srinagar and Budgam. In the City and adjoining areas the rainfall brought temperature down. The downpour led slight increase in the water level of rivers, lakes, ponds and streams but there was no threat
of floods in the Valley, authorities said.
“Water level in most water bodies across Kashmir was normal and there is no need to panic,” said an official.
Power supply was also affected due to gutsy winds in many parts of Kashmir since Tuesday evening. Reports revealed that strong winds accompanied by rains uprooted electric poles and damaged electricity wires, plunging several areas in North and Central Kashmir into darkness. Electricity supply was also affected in Srinagar city.
In Kashmir University, two private vehicles were damaged after a chinar branch feel up it, damaging it completely.
In South Kashmir weather remained dry, however during evening hours rains occurred while high speed winds created fear psychosis among people. The tourist resort Pahalgam also witnessed heavy rains and gusty winds.
The torrential rains left most of the roads in Srinagar city water-logged causing immense inconvenience to the commuters.
Thunderstorm and hailstorm occurred at many places in Budgam district damaging crops and fruits. The speedy gusty winds according to locals wrecked havoc in Budgam while a family had a narrow escape after a Chinar tree branch broke and fell on a two storey residential house and damaged the upper story completely. However, the family escaped unhurt. More than two dozen houses collapsed after dozens of trees uprooted and fell on them in Beerwah town.
Bandipora, Baramulla and Kupwara also witnessed torrential rains during evening hours.
MeT Department meanwhile has predicted light rainfall for Wednesday. “The weather will remain cloudy while light rainfall may occur in some parts of Kashmir Valley,” the MeT official said.