Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, May 21 

Intermittent rain and thunderstorms lashed Kashmir from late Wednesday, triggering flash floods in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district and a lightning strike in south Kashmir’s Pahalgam area that killed 107 livestock, officials said on Thursday.

Fresh snowfall was also reported from the higher reaches of Zojila, Drass, Gurez, and Tulail Valley, disrupting traffic on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway and bringing temperatures down across Kashmir after days of unusually warm weather.

Officials said the wet spell began in north Kashmir on Wednesday evening before spreading to central and south Kashmir, continuing through Thursday afternoon.

In Bandipora district, a cloudburst near Dar-ul-Uloom Rahimiya along the Srinagar-Bandipora road triggered flash flood-like conditions after water and mud entered several houses, officials said.

Two houses sustained partial damage, while a section of the road caved in. Two people suffered minor injuries.

In the Lehandegan area of Pahalgam in Anantnag district, 107 livestock, mostly sheep and goats, were killed overnight after lightning struck during heavy rain and thunderstorms, officials and local residents said.

The animals died on the spot, causing substantial losses to livestock owners. Teams from the Sheep Husbandry, Revenue and Police departments visited the area to assess the damage.

In Srinagar, strong winds and rainwater partially submerged a houseboat in the River Jhelum near the SBI Bank area, triggering panic among residents. Locals, assisted by State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and police personnel, rescued the owner’s belongings from the structure.

Strong winds also uprooted a Chinar tree at Akad along the Khanabal-Pahalgam road, damaging a moving vehicle after the tree fell on it. All occupants, including vehicle owner Zahoor Ahmad and his companions, escaped unhurt, officials said.

The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar advised residents, particularly those living in vulnerable areas, to remain cautious during thunderstorms, gusty winds and lightning activity, warning of possible disruptions to outdoor activities in several districts.

Fresh snowfall in Minamarg, Zojila and Drass forced authorities to temporarily suspend traffic on the Srinagar-Leh National Highway, the only all-weather road link connecting Kashmir with Ladakh through the Zojila Pass at an altitude of over 11,500 feet.

Snowfall was also reported from Gurez and Tulail Valley.

According to the Meteorological Department, Srinagar recorded 5.4 mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours, while Qazigund received 6.8 mm, Pahalgam 14.2 mm, Kupwara 11.4 mm, Kokernag 5.4 mm and Gulmarg 13.4 mm.

Day temperatures across Kashmir fell sharply following the wet spell. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 23.9 degrees Celsius, 1.5 notches below normal, while Qazigund settled at 21 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam at 20 degrees Celsius and Gulmarg at 12.6 degrees Celsius.

The Jammu region, however, continued to reel under intense heat despite traces of rainfall in some areas.

Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 41.5 degrees Celsius, 3.1 degrees above normal, while Kathua registered 43.4 degrees Celsius. Katra recorded 37.6 degrees Celsius, Banihal 31.6 degrees Celsius, Batote 25.1 degrees Celsius and Bhaderwah 25.8 degrees Celsius.

“Intermittent light to moderate rain will continue till Friday evening, accompanied by thunder, hail and gusty winds at a few places,” Director of the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, Mukhtar Ahmad, said.

He said generally dry weather was expected from May 23 to May 25, although isolated places could receive brief afternoon showers.

“The weather will again turn warm from May 26 to May 28, with temperatures expected to rise above 30 degrees Celsius,” Ahmad said.

Partly to generally cloudy weather is likely from May 29 to May 31, with isolated light rain and thundershowers expected mainly during late afternoon hours, he added.

Authorities also issued an advisory warning of thunderstorms, hailstorms and gusty winds with speeds reaching 40-50 kmph in isolated areas, besides the possibility of landslides and flash floods in vulnerable locations.