JAMMU: Severe weather conditions sweeping across Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday claimed two lives, triggered flash floods in multiple districts, disrupted normal life, and caused extensive damage to crops and orchards, prompting authorities to remain on high alert.
A woman was killed in a lightning strike in Doda district, while a man lost his life after a tree collapsed on him and his wife sustained serious injuries amid strong winds in Anantnag district.
Meanwhile, cloudbursts in Doda and Kishtwar districts and flash floods in Poonch led to road blockades, debris accumulation and inundation of residential areas, though no casualties were reported from these incidents.
The weather disturbance, marked by heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, hailstorms and gusty winds, affected large parts of both Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
Officials said Pinki Devi, a resident of Khuddhar village in Doda district, died on the spot after being struck by lightning on Tuesday evening.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha expressed grief over the incident and conveyed condolences to the bereaved family.
“My sincere condolences to the bereaved family of Pinki Devi from Khuddhar, Doda, who tragically passed away due to a lightning strike,” the Lieutenant Governor said.
He directed the Deputy Commissioner of Doda to provide immediate relief and assistance to the family.
In south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, strong winds accompanying heavy rainfall proved fatal when a poplar tree fell on a CRPF bunker and struck two civilians.
The victims, identified as Mohammad Rafiq and his wife Mareena, residents of Brariangan area, sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Government Medical College Hospital (GMCH), Anantnag.
Doctors declared Rafiq dead after he succumbed to his injuries, while Mareena remains under treatment. No CRPF personnel were injured in the incident.
The fallen tree also disrupted vehicular movement in the area for some time before authorities cleared the obstruction.
Heavy rain triggered three separate cloudburst incidents in Jammu division, causing flash floods and road disruptions in Doda, Kishtwar and Poonch districts.
A cloudburst struck the Bandekhra Nallah near Thathri town in Doda district, resulting in flash floods that swept through parts of the market area. Floodwaters and debris entered several houses, forcing authorities to shift residents to safer locations. Multiple parked vehicles were trapped under mud and debris, while portions of the highway passing through Thathri were covered with silt and stones.
In Kishtwar district, two cloudbursts were reported from the Gahan area of Sarthal and Machhipal. The incidents triggered heavy flows of water and debris, affecting roads and nearby habitations.
Deputy Commissioner Kishtwar Pankaj Sharma said the cloudburst occurred in forested areas and generated flash floods that impacted the Vrikshshala-Trofik stretch, Vrikshshala Zero Point, Machhipal, Saroor and particularly the Sarthal village road.
“A large quantity of debris has been deposited on roads and water has entered areas around residential settlements,” Sharma said.
He added that teams from NHIDCL, PMGSY and other departments were immediately deployed to restore connectivity and clear debris.
In Poonch district, flash floods hit the Sabzian-Ghorayank area of Mandi following heavy rainfall, depositing debris near a school building. However, no damage to life or property was reported.
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh said he was closely monitoring the situation and had spoken with Kishtwar Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Sharma immediately after receiving information about the cloudbursts.
According to initial reports, no casualties, injuries or significant property damage were reported from the affected areas in Kishtwar.
Later, Singh said Additional Deputy Commissioner Pawan Kotwal confirmed that teams from the Revenue Department, Police and District Red Cross had been dispatched to assess the affected sites.
Reports of road blockades were received from several locations, and men and machinery had been pressed into service to restore connectivity at the earliest, he said.
Officials from Revenue, Disaster Management, Police and other departments have been maintaining round-the-clock surveillance of vulnerable areas, while mobile patrols continue to monitor conditions on the ground.
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha reviewed the weather situation and spoke separately with the Deputy Commissioners of Doda and Kishtwar.
In a statement, he said emergency response teams had been directed to remain on high alert and continuously monitor developments.
“I’ve directed both the DCs of Kishtwar and Doda to swiftly restore roads, highways and water pipelines. Field staff and specialised medical teams are on high alert, and damage assessments will begin as soon as field verification is complete,” he said.
District authorities in Kishtwar and Doda issued advisories warning residents about the possibility of additional rainfall, flash floods and landslides.
People living near rivers, nallahs and vulnerable slopes have been advised to remain vigilant and avoid unnecessary movement during adverse weather conditions.
The administration directed all line departments, including Revenue, PWD, PMGSY, Jal Shakti, Health, Irrigation and Flood Control, NHIDCL, BRO and power utilities, to remain prepared for emergency response.
The district control room has been activated round-the-clock, and tehsildars have been instructed to immediately report any weather-related damage or emergencies.
Apart from flooding and wind damage, repeated hailstorms caused significant losses to farmers and fruit growers across the Valley.
Severe hailstorms were reported from several areas of Shopian, Pulwama, Kupwara, Ganderbal and Tral districts.
Affected locations included Uthmullah, Rahmoo, SindoShirmal, Balpora, Memandar, Shamshipora, Ramnagri, Aripal, Kakapora and adjoining areas.
Farmers reported extensive damage to standing crops, vegetables and fruit orchards, raising concerns about the horticulture sector’s losses.
Bandipora MLA Nizamuddin Bhat urged the government to immediately assess the damage and provide compensation to affected farmers.
He said Bonakoot village in Bandipora was among the worst-hit areas, where hailstorms had devastated orchards and agricultural fields.
The rainfall followed one of the warmest days of the season in Kashmir.
According to the Meteorological Department, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 30.7 degrees Celsius, around four degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 19.2 degrees Celsius, the highest night temperature recorded so far this season.
Qazigund recorded a maximum of 29°C, Kokernag 29.4°C and Kupwara 27.8°C. Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 37.7°C, while Kathua remained the hottest place in Jammu division at 38.2°C.
The highest maximum temperature in Kashmir division was recorded in Srinagar at 31.1°C. Gulmarg recorded the lowest minimum temperature in Kashmir division at 10.5°C, while Bhaderwah registered the lowest minimum temperature in Jammu division at 14.6°C.
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast isolated light rain and thunderstorms across Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.
For the subsequent two days, weather activity is expected to intensify, with scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rain and thunderstorms likely across the Union Territory.
The department has issued a warning for isolated thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms and gusty winds reaching speeds of 50–60 kmph across both Kashmir and Jammu divisions from June 3 to June 6.
Authorities have advised people to stay away from loose structures, electric poles, wires and old trees during thunderstorms. Boating and shikara operations on Dal Lake and other water bodies have also been advised against during periods of intense weather activity.
With more rainfall forecast over the coming days, disaster management agencies and district administrations remain on alert to respond to any further emergencies arising from the prevailing weather conditions.
