Srinagar: Rains lashed different parts of Valley on Friday, while the hailstorm wreaked havoc in south Kashmir.
Amidst two-day yellow and orange alert issued by the MeT department, parts of Kashmir including Srinagar, the summer capital, were lashed by the rainfall since late afternoon.
Reports of hailstorms in south Kashmir areas in Shopian district were also received, causing extensive losses to the orchardists and fruit growers.
The hailstorm hit many villages in the district including Kellar, Balpora, Shirmal, Gatipora, Kanipora, Wathoo, Pinjoora, Poshpora, Pahnoo, Aglar, Trenz, and Imamsahab.
The farmers said that the hailstorm lasted less than minutes but during this brief period caused huge damage to apple trees in these areas.
According to the news agency KNO, the next three days — upto April 21 — would likely witness more rains and snow across Jammu and Kashmir as the weatherman has stated that an active Western Disturbance would likely affect the region, bringing widespread light to moderate rain in plains and snow in the higher reaches.
The MeT has issued a warning of heavy rain, snowfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds across Jammu and Kashmir from April 18 to April 20, with peak intensity expected between the night of April 18 and late night of April 19.
The Pir Panjal range in Jammu and upper regions of Kashmir—especially Anantnag-Pahalgam, Kulgam, Sinthan Pass, Shopian, Pir Ki Gali, Sonamarg-Zojila, Bandipora-Razdan Pass, Gulmarg, and Kupwara-Sadhna Pass—are expected to receive heavy precipitation, reads the advisory.
The advisory warns of strong winds reaching 40–50 kmph, gusting up to 60–70 kmph, along with the possibility of hailstorms and lightning. The adverse weather may cause significant disruption to surface transport, particularly on the Jammu-Srinagar and Srinagar-Leh National Highways and other major roads in hilly areas.
The MeT has also cautioned about risks of landslides, mudslides, shooting stones, and a rise in water levels in rivers and streams. Waterlogging in low-lying areas is also expected. Farmers have been advised to suspend all agricultural operations from April 18 until the afternoon of April 21.
