Srinagar, June 16 (IANS) High-speed winds blew the roofs off some houses in the Sopore area as a windstorm and hailstorm lashed many parts of the Valley on Tuesday.

Gusty wind, followed by rain, thunderstorms and hail, lashed many parts of the Valley in the evening, and the roofs of some houses were reportedly blown off by high-speed winds in Sopore.

A hailstorm also occurred in the Nishar area on the outskirts of Srinagar city.

Erratic weather has persisted in the Valley over the last week, as many apple orchards in the south and north of the Valley have suffered extensive damage from hailstorms. Even paddy nurseries waiting to be transplanted into the field have suffered damage along with vegetables in some parts during this period.

Local MET office had forecast a spell of rain/thundershower over many places of Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal and adjoining areas, many parts of Badgam, Sonamarg-Baltal-Holy Cave axis, Pahalgam-Holy Cave axis, parts of South Kashmir and Tral area with brief intense showers, thunderstorm, hailstorm, lightning and gusty winds at a few places.

An advisory issued by the MET department asked people to stay indoors during thunderstorms and lightning, and to stay away from loose structures, electric wires/poles, and old trees. Tourists and locals have been advised to suspend boating and Shikara rides on all water bodies, including Dal Lake.

The advisory said there is a possibility of a hailstorm with intense showers over a few places in Kupwara, Baramulla, Bandipora and a few pockets of South Kashmir, which may generate flash floods and mudslides.

The Kashmir Valley is currently experiencing highly volatile weather characterised by sharp, unpredictable shifts between unseasonable heatwaves and sudden spells of thunderstorms, heavy rainfall and intense hailstorms. Recent climatic disruptions have significantly altered the region’s traditional temperate climate.

Recent seasons have seen record-breaking temperatures reaching up to 37° C in Srinagar, driven by a dangerous mix of global warming, deforestation and rapid urbanisation. A warmer atmosphere holding more moisture has led to strong atmospheric instability. Sudden hailstorms and severe thunderstorms have frequently battered key agricultural belts.

Temperature in the Valley often swings between extremes; recent Western Disturbances have triggered sudden downpours and light snowfall at higher altitudes, plummeting daytime temperatures by 4° C to 7° C below seasonal averages.

The erratic hail and wind have caused significant damage to horticulture, particularly in cherry-growing belts such as Baramulla, Ganderbal, and South Kashmir.

–IANS

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