Thunderstorms, Lightning, Hailstorms, and Earthquake Paralyse Daily Life
Leh, Mughal Road, Gurez Highways Closed
Div Com Kashmir Directs Control Room Activation and Urgent Ground Monitoring for Swift Emergency Response
Suhail Khan
Srinagar, April 19: While most parts of India grapple with relentless heat, residents of the northernmost union territory face a starkly different challenge. Over the past 24 hours, Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed fresh snowfall, torrential rains, thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms, and earthquake tremors, disrupting normal life across the region.
Officials informed Kashmir Despatch that higher-altitude areas in Kashmir received fresh snowfall on Saturday, while the plains were lashed by heavy rains. Tulail and Gurez in Bandipora district (north Kashmir) and Sinthan Top in south Kashmir reported overnight snow accumulation. Moderate snowfall led to the closure of the Gurez-Bandipora Road, authorities confirmed.
In response to continuous snowfall and severe weather, classes have been suspended for students up to Class 8 in Tulail and Class 5 in Gurez. Key transit routes, including Zoji La along the Srinagar-Leh National Highway and Mughal Road—an alternate link between the Kashmir Valley and Jammu—were also shut due to snow.
Widespread rain drenched most parts of the valley, including Srinagar, accompanied by thunderstorms, gusty winds, and hailstorms that damaged orchard crops in several areas.
The Meteorological (MeT) Department forecast light to moderate rain or snow across most regions, with isolated heavy precipitation expected until Sunday evening. Thunderstorms and gusty winds are likely to persist, followed by generally cloudy skies and scattered light rain on Monday. Farmers have been advised to suspend agricultural activities until Monday, while landslides, mudslides, and rockfalls remain a risk in vulnerable zones.
Landslide Threat Prompts Evacuations in Kishtwar
In Jammu’s Kishtwar district, 22 families were evacuated as a precaution after landslide threats emerged near the Kishtwar-Paddar Road, a vital route to the Machail Mata shrine. Traffic on this stretch has been suspended for three days, with over 200 metres of road damaged by sinking terrain and persistent rockfalls.
District Development Commissioner (DDC) Rajesh Kumar Shavan inspected the landslide-prone Singrah Nallah area, directing the General Reserve Engineering Force (GREF) to expedite restoration while prioritizing safety. “Evacuated families have been provided tents and rations. No structural cracks have been observed in homes yet,” said Nagsini Tehsildar Mohd Rafi Naik, who is overseeing the site.
Local residents blamed extensive blasting for the Kiru Hydroelectric Project (624 MW) for exacerbating landslide risks. DDC Shavan urged project authorities to adhere strictly to safety protocols to prevent further destabilization.
Calls for Permanent Solutions
BJP MLA and Opposition Leader Sunil Sharma emphasized the need for a long-term resolution to the recurring landslides, noting the area’s heightened vulnerability over the past 18 months. “Temporary fixes are insufficient. We are engaging stakeholders to secure a permanent solution,” he stated.
With the Kishtwar-Paddar Road closed, residents of Paddar and Pangi are relying on alternate trekking routes, severely hampering mobility. The Machail Mata pilgrimage, which resumed just a week ago, now faces further disruptions amid the ongoing weather crisis.
Authorities continue to monitor the situation, urging vigilance and preparedness as the region braces for more adverse weather.
The official stated that most parts of Kashmir have experienced thunderstorms accompanied by strong winds.
According to officials, some areas received hail, resulting in damage to agricultural production in orchards.
The Meteorological Department has forecasted the possibility of light to moderate rain or snow in various locations.
In terms of rainfall, some areas may experience moderate to heavy precipitation in isolated to scattered locations, along with thunderstorms and gusty winds, until Sunday evening.
The Met Office has also warned of possible landslides, mudslides, and falling rocks in vulnerable areas.
Meanwhile, independent weather forecaster Kashmir Weather reported that additional bands of thunderclouds have developed over South Kashmir and the western regions, spreading to other parts of Kashmir.
Rain accompanied by thunderstorms, intense showers, and lightning is expected across the region until late Saturday night.
Additionally, officials noted that a hailstorm struck several areas on Friday evening and continued into Saturday, severely damaging blooming flowers in orchards, particularly in the apple-rich belt of Shopian, according to growers.
In Rajouri, a severe windstorm, along with thundering hailstorms and heavy rainfall, caused widespread destruction across the Kalakote sub-district on Thursday evening, leaving dozens of families homeless and resulting in significant property damage.
The worst-affected areas include Tehsil Kalakote and Mogla Block, where strong winds ravaged the region. Some houses with tin-sheet roofs could not withstand the storm’s intensity. Nearly 100 homes have reportedly been destroyed, and some school buildings have sustained roof damage, according to Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Kalakote, Tanveer Ahmed.
Meanwhile, Respond immediately to distress calls if any, monitor the emergent situation on ground following incessant rains, gusty winds & hailstorm, and activate control rooms for effective assessment & response, directed Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri to Deputy Commissioners & officers while chairing an emergency meeting, here on Saturday.
Div Com convened an emergency meeting in view of relentless rains to assess the overall situation and the damages caused to crops and structures by winds & hailstorm.
Taking the cognizance of various reports of damage to crops in Shopian district by hailstorm, and other minor damages to structures by wind in other places, Div Com directed concerned Deputy Commissioners to immediately provide relief to the affected persons following proper guidelines.
At the outset, the Irrigation & Flood Control Department shared the data of water level in different water channels & tributaries of Jhelum and dispelled any imminent threat of flood in the valley.
However, to address water logging issues in the city, Bidhuri instructed SMC for deployment & operation of dewatering pumps wherever required.
While reviewing the supply of essential services, he also directed CE KPDCL for immediate restoration of affected lines & reparation of transformers.
He also reviewed availability of essentials including food grains, LPG and Oil in the valley for the convenience of the general public.
To ensure safety of passengers, Div Com directed Traffic Police to issue advisory regarding traffic movement on hazardous or risky roads especially Gurez road, Mughal road, Sinthan Top, Razdan Top and other roads & passes so no one remains stranded.
Div Com also directed Health Department for smooth functioning of hospitals & other healthcare institutions to render uninterrupted medical services and treatment to patients.
Meanwhile, Director IMD informed meeting of the gradual improvement from late mid-night to afternoon tomorrow.
The meeting was attended by Commissioner SMC; Deputy Commissioners, SSPs, Directors of IMD, Health, Tourism, FCS&CA, VC LCMA, ULB, officers of various departments including Agriculture, Horticulture, School Education, Traffic, Transport, KPDCL, I&FC, PHE, PWD etc.
Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) Commissioner Dr. Owais Ahmad toured various areas of the city to assess the situation and take stock of waterlogging complaints.
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.
Suhail Khan is a filmmaker, content writer, and freelance journalist.
