Rain, Storm uproots trees, snapped power supply in J&K

Overnight thunderstorm and rain in different parts of Jammu and Kashmir disrupted normal life while plunging a large areas in darkness as power lines were snapped.

However, no injuries or loss of life was reported in Jammu, Reasi, Samba, Kathua, Kupwara, and Anantnag, which were worst-affected by high velocity winds. Parts of Rajouri and Udhampur were also affected by the storm.

In Jammu district, power lines and electric poles were damaged as many trees were uprooted. It was only after Jammu Municipal Corporation staff and power development department (PDD) workers cleared the roads that the people were able to resume their normal routine.

“We have received reports that more than 80 poles supporting low and high tension power lines have been damaged. Transformers have also been affected. We restored 90 per cent of the electricity supply by Wednesday evening,” said Sudhir Gupta, Chief Engineer, PDD, Jammu.

An official with the Indian Meteorological Department said during April and May due to dry weather conditions and intense summer heat in northern plains, such conditions are routine, especially in the plains of the Jammu region.

Due to power breakdown, the drinking water supply was also affected in major towns, especially Jammu city. An official in the administration said they were assessing the damage to public infrastructure.