SRINAGAR: Multiple cloud bursts occurred in various parts of Valley including at least two in Srinagar on Thursday morning, inundating many areas, scaring traders and leaving denizens in a tizzy.
Thunderstorms and a massive thud of cloud bursts shook Srinagar residents out of their beds Thursday morning and in minutes water inundated scores of localities.
Reports of cloudburst came from Khonmou and Nishat in Srinagar, Garend Kalan in Budgam and Kralpora Kupwara.
As a result gushing waters rushed into a number of houses in these areas damaging property but caused no casualties.
Eyewitnesses said that a cloud burst struck Army Depot at Khonmou area of Srinagar city as a result several houses and adjacent fields were inundated.
Cloudburst struck at Patthan Bahg Brein Nishat at around 6 AM followed by a heavy downpour that lasted more than three hours. Such was the volume of water that it led to sudden increase in waters of Dal and Anchar Lakes inundating dozens of localities surrounding these lakes. The impact was severe in areas around Anchar and Khushhal Sar as both these water bodies have over a period of time turned into marshes due to government negligence.
Vital roads like Ali Jan Road which connects Civil Lines with Soura and Ali Masjid-Hawal link Road and Soura Hawal roads were submerged under water at various places throwing traffic out of gear.
Heavy rainfall also led to water logging in uptown Srinagar as well. Jehangir Chowk, Exhibition Crossing, Sarai Bala, Munwar, Khanyar, Nallah Mar Road and scores of other places too were submerged creating massive traffic snarls.
The residential colonies at Bemina, HMT, Qamarwari and adjoining areas were also waterlogged.
Many paddy fields in Sonawari belt have suffered extensive damage after water seeped into the fields following heavy rains.
According to the reports multiple cloud bursts also occurred in Kupwara district including at Lalpora, Kralpora and Muqam-i- Shahwali.
Residents of Muqam Shahwali said that the cloud burst hit the area at around 8:30 AM and it inundated many localities of the area. The water entered into houses, cowsheds and paddy fields in these areas and several people were stuck as the flow of the water was very high.
Residents said that they themselves launched rescue operation and saved several trapped persons, including children and women. The administration and police arrived in our localities after they were informed about the situation, they said. The cloud burst has caused damage to properties of people and also to paddy fields.
A team of R&B employees cleaned the local Nallah of mud and other wastes only by evening.
Meanwhile cloud bursts also hit Kralpora, Lalpora, Keegam, Kandi and Drugmulla areas of the Kupwara. There were no reports of loss of life or property.
A poultry farm in Garend Kalan village of Chadoora in Budgam district was washed away after a cloud burst hit the area.
Fresh thunderstorms creating havoc have been also reported from Ladakh region.
Reports from Nubra valley said following the thunderstorm seven people were said to be missing. The missing have been identified as Ali, Jan Bi, Shamsher, Talib, Roqee, Karim and Zainab. All the missing are said to be the residents of village Bogdang, Leh.
Notably, the weather in Kashmir turned damp once again early Thursday morning when a fresh thundering shower of this season started drenching valley.
Thunderstorms and cloudbursts that have become a common occurrence this year have created panic and beefed up flood scare in public.
The weatherman meanwhile predicted more rainfall in next 24 hours across the State.
130 stranded tourists rescued
SRINAGAR: The authorities rescued 130 tourists stranded on the Leh-Manali road in Leh district overnight, police said on Thursday.
“Police and district administration rescued 130 tourists who were stranded due to blockade of Leh-Manali road as a culvert was washed away and landslides at many places hit the road,” police said in Srinagar.
“The tourists walked 15 km to the bus stand. Buses provided by district administration with police escorted them to safety,” police said.
What is a cloudburst?
A cloudburst is sudden copious rainfall. It is a sudden aggressive rainstorm falling for a short period of time limited to a small geographical area.
Meteorologists say the rain from a cloudburst is usually of the shower type with a fall rate equal to or greater than 100 mm (4.94 inches) per hour.
Generally cloudbursts are associated with thunderstorms. The air currents rushing upwards in a rainstorm hold up a large amount of water.
If these currents suddenly cease, the entire amount of water descends on to a small area with catastrophic force all of a sudden and causes mass destruction. This is due to a rapid condensation of the clouds.
They occur most often in desert and mountainous regions, and in interior regions of continental landmasses.
During a cloudburst, more than 2 cm of rain may fall in a few minutes. They are called ‘bursts’ probably because it was believed earlier that clouds were solid masses full of water. So, these violent storms were attributed to their bursting.
Cloudbursts frequently occur during the monsoon.
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