Overnight windstorm causes devastation in Srinagar

Srinagar, May 19: Overnight windstorm caused extensive damage to trees, rooftops and power lines in several areas of the summer capital.

The damages were reported in Hazratbal, Rawalpora, Noor Bagh, Qamarwari, Nigeen, Nawab Bazar, Natipora, Qamarwari, Karan Nagar and Safa Kadal areas.

Videos of many such incidents surfaced on social media in which people were seen in distress due to heavy damage to their properties.

“Our house was damaged due to the winds. We thank our neighbors who sheltered us in their house. We appeal to the authorities to provide all possible help so that we can also rebuild,” a local from Qamarwari said.

Following the gusty winds, rooftops of several buildings were also damaged. In Noorbagh, the roof of a commercial complex was also damaged, blocking the road in the morning.

‘It was a major storm that damaged the roof of the complex, and it landed on the road blocking it,” the owner of the complex said.

The locals said that due to the damage, power supply was also affected in various area. In Hafiz Bagh area of Srinagar, the roof of the building had struck the power and cable lines.

“By noon, no power supply was restored, and the tin sheets were still stuck in the power and cable line. It is not only dangerous, but it has also affected the power supply. Critical patients at homes are facing difficulties,” a group of locals said.

Meanwhile falling of trees and big Chinar tree branches created panic in many areas. “Trees were uprooted in many areas of Srinagar and heavy branches of Chinar trees fell on roads, hindering the movement of vehicles,” Faheem Ahmad, a commuter in Srinagar, said.

In addition to these damages, the falling of a small communication tower also created panic in the Soura locality. The locals said that damages were also reported across the Soura locality.

In Nigeen, the houseboat owners also said that gusty winds damaged many houseboats. “Due to gusty winds, my houseboat was damaged. We also face issues as we are not allowed to repair the houseboats easily due to restrictions. We hope that authorities will look into these damages and take further steps accordingly,” said a houseboat owner at Nigeen.

Amid the ongoing marriage season, people had set up tents and other structures for hosting guests. Damages were also reported in areas where tents were damaged due to gusty winds.

“We had set up a tent and a shed for the marriage ceremony that was damaged due to the overnight winds. We had to redo and set the structure again in the morning, which had been damaged due to winds,” Asrar Ahmad, a local, said.