Hailstorm wreaks havoc in Valley
Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 19: Kashmir was lashed by heavy intermittent rains and hail storms since last night while hills had snowfall bringing the mercury down across the region.
The upper reaches of Kashmir including Sinthan Top, Tulail and other areas experienced fresh snowfall.
The plains including Srinagar, were lashed by the intermittent heavy rainfall and hail storm. The hailstorm continued to wreak havoc in multiple areas of Kulgam and Shopian districts of South Kashmir, causing extensive damage to the fruit growers and orchardists.
Director Meteorological Department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said that the moderate rain with intense showers accompanied with moderate to severe thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds are expected at many places of J&K till midnight.
He also advised people to stay indoors, safe shelters & stay away from water bodies, loose structures & landslide prone areas.
The fresh spell of rains have once again recharged the water bodies including river Jhelum, which was flowing below normal maximum of times in the past six months.
The MeT has issued yellow alerts for the next two days till April 21, 2025.
As per the forecast, the weatherman has stated that light to moderate rain and snow (higher reaches) is expected at most places while there is a possibility of moderate to heavy rain and snow at isolated to scattered places till 20th late evening.
On 21st April, he said that the weather would remain generally cloudy with possibility of light rain and thunder at scattered places, adding that from April 22 to 28, the weather would remain generally dry with cloudiness towards April 25.
In its advisory, the MeT Department has stated that all concerned are advised to plan accordingly and follow administration and traffic advisory.
The farmers have been advised to suspend farm operations till 21st April, it reads, adding that there is a possibility of moderate to heavy rain and snow over isolated to scattered places of J&K during 19 April.
There is a possibility of landslides, mudslides and shooting stones at vulnerable places, the advisory reads and appealed people to stay inside and safe places during thunder and lightning.
The heavy rainfall since yesterday caused waterlogging in several areas with Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) deploying dewatering pumps across the city.
The Commissioner Dr. Owais Ahmad toured various areas of the city to assess the situation and take stock of waterlogging complaints.
Owais said while the department did receive complaints of waterlogging, the dewatering systems across Srinagar were functioning smoothly and are currently operating below full capacity.
“A total of 104 dewatering stations have been made functional and are working efficiently. These stations are designed to manage excess water and are coping well with the present rainfall,” he said.
The Commissioner added that in areas where dewatering stations have not yet been installed, mobile pumps have been deployed to manage the situation. “For instance, IG Road witnessed water accumulation today, but a dewatering station has now been sanctioned for the area. Until it is built, a mobile dewatering pump will remain stationed there,” he said.
Dr. Owais further informed that 104 mobile dewatering pumps are currently placed in different parts of the city to ensure quick water disposal. “These pumps are used to drain water and divert it into nearby drainage systems to clear the roads,” he said.
He said the SMC has also created a comprehensive drainage map for Srinagar and will move step by step to make the city waterlogging-free in the future. “Our aim is not only to respond to immediate complaints but to build a long-term plan that ensures waterlogging becomes a thing of the past,” he added.
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