Gusty winds lash Kashmir

Srinagar, Jan 22: Strong winds swept across several parts of Kashmir on Thursday evening, damaging residential and commercial structures and plunging many areas into darkness due to power disruptions.

Reports from different parts of the region indicated partial damage to homes and shops as high-intensity gusts lashed the Valley, triggering fear among residents.

Weather officials said gusty winds of up to 80 km per hour were recorded in Poonch, while Anantnag witnessed wind speeds of around 60 km per hour.

Srinagar and several other stations reported winds ranging between 20 and 40 km per hour, accompanied by light rain at a few places.

At around 10 pm, Srinagar experienced gusty winds along with light rainfall, which led to power outages in several parts of the city, residents said.

Residents in south Kashmirís Anantnag, Pulwama, and Shopian districts said the winds shattered window panes, uprooted tin sheets, and blew away the rooftops of several residential structures.

Arjumand Ahmad of Machpunoo village in Pulwama district said strong winds damaged his house and ripped off the rooftops of several nearby structures.

He said the entire area was plunged into darkness following the gusty winds.

Similar reports of damage were received from parts of Anantnag district, residents said.

Residents in Shopian also reported power outages following the gusty winds.

In central Kashmirís Budgam district, gusty winds damaged both residential and commercial buildings, with residents saying the intensity of the winds was so high that it created panic in several localities.