A powerful windstorm swept through Srinagar city late Sunday night, causing widespread disruption, property damage, and power outages. The storm, accompanied by heavy rain and thunder, recorded wind gusts between 40–60 km/h, leading to panic across the summer capital.
Multiple electric poles and large trees were uprooted across various areas of the city, bringing traffic to a halt in some stretches and damaging roadside infrastructure.
Tin rooftops were blown off residential and commercial buildings. In the Soura area, a telecom tower collapsed.
Large advertisement hoardings tumbled down onto parked vehicles and sidewalks, posing serious safety risks to pedestrians and motorists.
The storm caused extensive damage to transformers and power lines, leaving several localities in Srinagar without electricity. Restoration efforts by KPDCL began immediately, but many areas continued to face partial outages through Monday.
Water supply was disrupted in some localities due to damage to pumping stations and overhead lines. PHE teams were deployed to assess and repair the faults.
Teams from SDRF, KPDCL, PHE, and SMC swung into action to clear fallen trees and debris. Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Akshay Labroo, along with senior officials, conducted inspections at the Bemina Grid Station and other key power infrastructure locations to monitor restoration efforts.
Officials have warned of isolated showers over the next 24 hours but ruled out a repeat of the severe gusts. Citizens are advised to remain indoors during strong winds and secure loose items.
The storm has revealed vulnerabilities in the city’s power and communication infrastructure. While restoration is underway, authorities stress the need for better preparedness to reduce future damage. Officials are also assessing the economic impact, especially for households and businesses affected by the disruptions.
Residents are urged to stay alert and report damaged infrastructure to the concerned departments for swift redressal.