Jammu: A two-wheeler rider had a narrow escape when an electric transformer and several poles came crashing down amid high-speed winds and rain that lashed Jammu on Thursday evening. This sudden weather change brought down temperatures, offering much-needed relief from the prevailing heatwave conditions. During the day, Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 41.3 degrees Celsius, which is 3.8 degrees higher than normal. Samba experienced even hotter conditions, reaching 46.1 degrees Celsius, causing significant disruption to normal life in the region.
In the evening, strong gusty winds accompanied by rain and hailstorms swept across Jammu and surrounding districts, resulting in a sharp drop in temperature, according to officials. According to the Meteorological Department, Jammu witnessed winds gusting up to 48 knots (89 kmph), followed by Gulmarg at 36 knots (67 kmph), and Ramban and Kathua at 31 knots (57 kmph).
The department said significant rainfall was recorded till 7.30 pm, with Bhaderwah receiving 27 mm of rain, Batote 24.6 mm and Bhella in Doda district 18 mm. Officials noted that an electric transformer and several poles were uprooted by the strong winds and fell onto a road in the Channi area of Jammu, narrowly missing a two-wheeler carrying two people.
While the scooter sustained some damage, the pillion rider escaped unharmed. A major tragedy was averted because the power to the transformer had already been turned off when the incident occurred. There was minor damage to infrastructure, including several trees, which caused some vehicle damage in Jammu. Hailstorms were also reported in certain parts of the city.
After the high-speed winds and rainfall, the weather became pleasant, prompting people to leave their homes and enjoy the relief from the heatwave conditions. This sudden weather change was felt across various districts in the Jammu region, including Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, and Reasi, where strong winds and rain provided a respite from the intense heat. Officials reported no loss of life, though there were reports of minor damage to infrastructure and power installations in some areas.
Meanwhile, Fresh snowfall was also recorded in the Apharwat hills of Gulmarg and several other higher reaches of north Kashmir. Weather officials told that a fresh western disturbance influenced weather conditions across Jammu and Kashmir during the day, bringing rain and thundershowers to many areas.
Officials said the lightning strike in Sazaan village sparked a forest fire in pine-covered areas. There were no immediate reports of casualties. The Met advised people to remain indoors during thunderstorms and stay away from electric poles, loose structures, overhead wires and old trees.
It had also advised suspension of boating and shikara operations in Dal Lake and other water bodies during periods of adverse weather. Earlier in the day, temperatures remained above normal across most stations in the Kashmir and Jammu regions. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 31.5 degrees Celsius, 3.5 degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 18.5 degrees Celsius, also 3.9 degrees above the seasonal average.
Qazigund recorded a maximum of 30.2 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 16.4 degrees Celsius, both above normal. Pahalgam registered 25.9 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara recorded 30.2 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg, the Union Territory’s coldest tourist resort, recorded a maximum temperature of 21.6 degrees Celsius.
