Heavy Rains, Strong Winds Wreak Havoc in Srinagar; Relief from Heatwave Across J&K

Srinagar, July 5: Heavy rains lashed several parts of Srinagar on Monday afternoon, including areas like Chanpora and Lal Chowk, inundating low-lying regions and bringing the city to a standstill for hours. The downpour was accompanied by a hailstorm and strong gusty winds, which caused widespread disruption across the region.

Strong winds wreaked havoc in multiple areas, uprooting trees and damaging vehicles and electric infrastructure. Several south-end parts of Srinagar bore the brunt of the afternoon storm, as electric poles were brought down, leading to power outages in many localities.

Eyewitnesses reported that a tree was uprooted between Batwara and Pandrethan areas,  resulting in significant damage and a road blockade.

The authorities, however, responded swiftly by deploying men and machinery to restore electricity and clear roadways.

Earlier, the Meteorological Department had issued an advisory predicting light to moderate rain and thundershowers over various parts of Kashmir during the next three hours. The advisory warned that certain places could experience intense showers, potentially triggering flash floods, landslides, and mudslides. It had also forecast gusty winds with speeds up to 40–50 kmph.

After enduring a prolonged spell of heat and humidity, residents across Jammu and Kashmir finally received a welcome change in the weather. The heavy rainfall brought down soaring temperatures sharply, offering much-needed relief to people across urban and rural areas alike.

From Srinagar and Jammu to the remote hill regions, the rain refreshed the parched landscape and restored a sense of calm to the Valley. The sudden shift in weather has been widely welcomed, particularly by outdoor workers and daily commuters who had been bearing the brunt of the heatwave.

Meteorological forecasts now indicate that the cooler weather is likely to persist through the week, with daytime temperatures expected to remain near or slightly below normal. Though humidity levels are projected to stay elevated during the monsoon season, the recent downpour has brought a much-needed pause to the scorching conditions.

This timely weather change has also come as a blessing for students and parents. With summer vacations ending, schools across the Union Territory are scheduled to reopen from Tuesday. The drop in temperature is expected to make the transition back to school easier and more comfortable for students.