Srinagar: Torrential rains lashed Srinagar and many other parts of Kashmir on Monday, ending a prolonged heatwave during which the Valley had experienced the hottest July day in more than 70 years.
Several areas, including Downtown Srinagar, were inundated. The heavy rain flooded roads, leading to massive traffic snarls across the city, officials said.
According to reports, Srinagar localities including downtown Srinagar, Natipora, Chanpora, Rambagh, Jehangir Chowk, Lal Chowk, and Sarmoli, including parts of Baramulla’s Sopore and other parts of valley witnessed heavy rainfall around 5:00 PM, accompanied by hailstorm in places like Magam and surrounding areas. Videos circulating on social media showed roads blanketed in white as hail pelted the region with force. Many streets were inundated as drain water seeped to many shops in olc city, reports aid.
In one incident, a tree uprooted between Batwara and Pandrethan fell on an e-rickshaw, causing damage to the vehicle and triggering a massive traffic jam along both sides of the road. Police and local authorities were seen trying to clear the obstruction.
Elsewhere, Sopore also reported heavy rainfall, leading to waterlogging in several low-lying areas and raising concerns over drainage preparedness.
Electricity was snapped due to high-speed winds that preceded the showers, they said, adding there were reports of trees and electric poles getting uprooted in many areas of the Valley.
Properties were damaged due to falling of trees, but there were no reports of any casualties, they said.
“Moderate to heavy rain was reported from most parts of Kashmir, with Srinagar city getting torrential showers,” an official said
The rain ended a prolonged heat wave in Kashmir. Srinagar city witnessed the third hottest day ever as mercury soared to 37.4 degrees Celsius on Saturday. This was the hottest day recorded in the valley since July 5, 1953, when the city had recorded a high of 37.7 degrees.
The hottest ever day recorded in Srinagar was on July 10, 1946, when the mercury soared to 38.3 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, the long dry spell in Drass and Kargil came to an end, with moderate rainfall reported on Sunday, bringing much-needed relief to the region.