1 killed as strong winds wreak havoc in J&K, power supply partially restored

A powerful windstorm swept through Kashmir on Monday night, causing widespread damage and panic. One young girl lost her life, and many areas across the region were affected.

 

The storm came just after the hottest day of the season in Srinagar, where temperature reached 32°C. Strong, gusty winds knocked down trees, tore off rooftops and brought down electric poles. Roads were blocked and electricity was snapped in several areas.

 

In Shopian district, tragedy struck when a tall Alpine tree fell on a makeshift tent belonging to a tribal family in the Keller forest. A young girl named Soby Riyaz died on the spot, while her father, Riyaz Ahmad, was injured.

 

“We were terrified by the sounds of flying debris and breaking windows,” said Parvez Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar. “The power cut made everything even scarier.” The weather office in Srinagar had already warned of thunderstorms with winds between 40 and 60 km per hour. 

 

The roar of the wind and crashing rooftops left many people frightened.

Residents shared images and videos of damaged houses, orchards, and blocked roads on social media. Near Shri Maharaja Hari Singh Hospital in Srinagar, part of a rooftop collapsed onto the road, blocking one lane. Locals quickly used WhatsApp groups to warn others to stay away from the area.

 

The Power Development Department (PDD) reported serious damage to power lines in districts like Kulgam, Pulwama, Srinagar, and parts of north Kashmir. Many electric poles were also knocked down.

 

Officials said that more than half of the electricity supply has been restored so far. Cleanup and repair work is going on across the Valley, and authorities are still assessing the full extent of the damage.

 

The strong winds also caused panic on Dal Lake, where houseboat and shikara owners kept watch through the night as the storm passed.

India