Srinagar, Jan 22 (KNO): Strong and gusty winds swept through several parts of the Kashmir Valley on Thursday evening even as the Weather Department issued an orange alert for the next two hours, warning or thundershowers and lightening.
An official told news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the gusty winds caused widespread damage to property and also disrupted electricity supply across the Kashmir Valley and several parts of the Jammu region.
He said that the high-intensity winds uprooted trees, damaged rooftops of several residential houses in parts of the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, Anantnag, Shopian, Kulgam, Budgam and Pulwama. “The strong winds also triggered forest fires in several areas across Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Kulgam, Mohammad Ashraf Katoo, who is also holding additional charge of Anantnag, told KNO that forest fires were raging at two locations in Anantnag district - Manzmoh and Verinag - and at three locations in Kulgam, which included Lammer, Akhal and Pranhal.
He said teams of the forest department have been deployed to the affected areas and efforts are underway to contain the blaze.
The Indian Meteorological Department issued an orange alert for several districts of Jammu and Kashmir including Anantnag, Bandipora, Baramulla, Budgam, Doda, Ganderbal, Kishtwar, Kulgam, Kupwara, Poonch, Pulwama, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, Shopian, Srinagar and Udhampur for the next two hours.
It warned of thundershowers and lightening with gusty winds of 50–60 kmph and moderate rainfall over these districts. “Srinagar and Jammu airports also reported gusty wind speed of up to 83 kmph and 37 kmph respectively in association with the fresh Western Disturbance,” it said.
Meanwhile, an independent Kashmir based weather forecaster said that various areas across Jammu and Kashmir reported strong gusty winds, saying these winds are unusual for this time of the season.
“However, they are not localised or temperature-driven. Instead, they are linked to a unique and dynamically strong Western Disturbance, which carries intense wind fields within the system itself," he said.
He said that the gusty winds may subside in a few areas over the coming hours, but many places are likely to continue experiencing strong winds till the early morning hours tomorrow.
An official said that the Police personnel were engaged in clearing roads and assisting people after strong winds caused the roofs of several houses, complexes and buildings to cave in at various places across the Valley.
“Police teams from the concerned stations are on the ground, ensuring smooth traffic movement and providing timely assistance to affected residents,” he said.
In view of the prevailing inclement weather conditions and the adverse weather forecast, the Srinagar District Administration advised people to refrain from venturing outside their homes and avoid unnecessary movement on roads.
It asked the general public to contact the District Emergency Operation Centre Srinagar and Police Control Room Srinagar, in case of any exigency and advised the people to strictly follow the advisory—(KNO)