Windstorm damages infra, power supply hit
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, May 24: Heavy downpour after strong wind and thunderstorm brought some relief from the heat-wave in Jammu region while winter capital Jammu witnessed total darkness at around 5 pm today.
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The City of Temples experienced an unusual, ‘night-scene’ during the day as thick dark clouds were seen hovering over the sky. Amidst darkness the vehicles were seen plying on the City roads with their headlights on. Even the street lights and in the shops and residential houses and the offices were also turned on.
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The windstorm caused extensive damage to the power infrastructure. Dozens of trees and their branches were broken and fell on the power lines. They caused damage to the electric cables and several electric transformers of the PDD. On Janipur-Ban Talab Road a big tree fell on the road disrupting movement of traffic . It was later cut to make passage for the stranded vehicles. In several other parts of the city, including Channi, Gandhi Nagar and Trikuta Nagar area also, several fallen trees and branches disrupted power supply for more than 4 to 5 hours.
A house caught fire after lightning at village Asot in Chassana area of district Reasi this evening. However, all the members of the family of Wazir Ali, owner had a miraculous escape.
A senior PDD official said that with the gusty winds and falling of trees and their branches, power infrastructure suffered damage. He said after the rain stopped, the field staff of the PDD swung into action and started restoration work. He said in some areas the power was restored by 10 pm while the work on the remaining areas was going on.
A MeT official said that after heavy rain in Jammu, a sharp fall in the temperature was experienced this evening. He said the other towns like Kathua, Samba, Katra, Rajouri, Udhampur, Reasi etc also experienced a sharp drop in temperature.
Kashmir can expect a welcome respite from heatwave starting Saturday, with temperatures being forecast to dip by 2 3 C, according to the Meteorological Centre Srinagar.
The day temperatures over the last week remained several degrees above normal across the valley.
On Friday, the summer capital Srinagar recorded a maximum of 33.2 degree celsius, some 7.8 notches above normal. On Thursday, Srinagar recorded the third highest maximum temperature of 34.4 C after the 2nd highest of 35 C on May 31, 1956.
The MeT Department on Saturday predicted generally cloudy skies with intermittent rain and thundershowers across much of the Kashmir today, while parts of Jammu may also witness scattered rainfall, gusty winds, and isolated intense showers.
“We are expecting a fall in maximum temperatures beginning today (Saturday), providing much-needed relief from the recent heat. Thunderstorms and gusty winds are also likely in some areas,” the MeT Centre said.
The weather will remain relatively hot and dry on May 25 and 26, with only the possibility of brief showers at isolated spots during the late afternoon. However, a more unstable weather pattern is forecast for May 27 to 31, with frequent spells of rain and thundershowers accompanied by gusty winds likely to affect scattered to many places across the region.
The advisory from the MeT Department also warns of sudden gusty winds and thunderstorms.
Due to heatwave, the Education Department on Thursday announced change of school timings from Monday.
The schools falling under Srinagar municipal limits will function from 8:30 am to 2:30 pm instead of 9 am. The other schools across Kashmir will function from 9 am to 3 pm instead of 9:30 am.
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