Excelsior Correspondent
Srinagar, Apr 22: Gale and hailstorm in parts of Kashmir last night led to damage to houses, fruit and vegetable crops in the Valley and authorities in Srinagar have asked the various Government agencies to remain alert as water level in Dal lake and river Jhelum is rising.
In view of rising water level in Dal lake and River Jhelum, Deputy Commissioner Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone, today convened a meeting with senior officers of LAWDA, I&FC, SMC, Drainage, Fire and Emergency Services, PHE and SDM (East) and asked them to remain ready for any eventuality.
The DC directed all Departments to keep their men and machinery ready to meet any eventuality. He also directed I&FC Department to make adequate quantity of sand bags available at various vulnerable spots for quick action.
The overnight gale and hailstorm that was followed by the heavy rains in Kashmir has resulted in the damage to houses besides causing damage to the fruits and crops across Valley and snapped power lines.
The major damage was caused to the fruit and mustard at Shadi Marg and Kellar in South Kashmir due to hail storm. The hail storm also damaged the crops in Tral and Shopian areas of South Kashmir and Baramulla district of North Kashmir.
A large number of trees and electric poles were also uprooted in several area thereby resulted in the disruption of electricity supply. Scores of trees fell on the houses in various parts of Kashmir resulting in their damage.
Traffic on Srinagar-Chrar-e-Sharief road and several other roads was disrupted in the morning as large number of trees got uprooted due to gale.
Panic gripped in Srinagar, particularly in the uptown due to strong winds, followed by hailstorm for about an hour last night. There was only moderate to light rainfall in the civil lines, including historic Lal Chowk, and downtown. But there was hail storm in Southern parts of Srinagar.
Rising temperature that led to melting of snow in upper reaches and heavy overnight rains has resulted in increase of water level in the Jhelum close to danger mark- creating panic among people living in low lying areas.
The water level at Ram Munshibagh here was recorded as 16.45 feet today. The danger level in Jhelum at Ram Munshibagh is 16 feet and flood is declared at 18 feet. The water level in Sangam was 14.65feet this evening while it was 11.75 feet at Asham.
The river had already swelled during last spell of rains and snowfall. The upper catchment received good amount of snow this winter. Presently, there has been a sudden rise in day temperatures which has resulted in snow to melt in upper catchment and contributing flow to Jhelum on this count.
An official of LAWDA said that water level in Dal Lake was recorded as 12 feet. Several low lying areas in and around lake are submerged.
Meanwhile, intermittent rains continued to lash Valley since this morning. The officials in the Meteorological (MeT) department said that the light to moderate rains would occur at many places in the next 24 hours across the state. “There is possibility of light to moderate rains, thundershower at many places in the next 24 hours across the Valley,” they said, adding that there is possibility of occasional sunshine as well.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
