Srinagar, June 3 — Severe weather conditions sweeping across Jammu and Kashmir claimed two lives on Tuesday, triggered cloudbursts in parts of the Chenab Valley and caused widespread damage to crops and orchards across the Kashmir Valley.
A man was killed and his wife critically injured after a tree uprooted by strong winds fell on them near the Janglat Mandi–Lal Chowk road in Anantnag district. The deceased was identified as Mohammad Rafiq Kujwal of Utross. His wife sustained serious injuries and is undergoing treatment.
In a separate incident, a woman identified as Pinki Devi of Khuddhar village in Doda district died after being struck by lightning during the evening.
The adverse weather also triggered a cloudburst in Bandekhra Nalla near Thathri town in Doda district, leading to flash floods and the entry of debris into parts of the local market area. Officials said no casualties or property damage were reported.
Two more cloudbursts occurred in the Ghan and Machipal areas of Kishtwar district. Authorities said the incidents did not result in any loss of life or damage to property and the situation remained under control.
Across Kashmir, hailstorms accompanied by heavy rainfall and gusty winds disrupted normal life and caused extensive losses to agriculture and horticulture sectors.
Fresh hailstorms were reported from Aripal in Tral, adjoining areas of Awantipora, Kakapora in Pulwama district and several locations in Ganderbal district. The latest spell came days after severe hailstorms struck parts of Shopian and Pulwama, affecting areas including Uthmullah, Rahmoo, Sindo Shirmal, Balpora, Memandar, Shamshipora and Ramnagri. Similar weather activity was also reported from parts of Kupwara district.
Farmers expressed concern over significant damage to standing crops, vegetables and fruit orchards, particularly in apple-growing regions.
Bandipora MLA Nizamuddin Bhat urged the government to immediately assess the losses and provide relief to affected farmers.
“The latest hailstorm has devastated crops, vegetables and fruit orchards in several villages of Bandipora and other parts of Kashmir, leaving farmers in distress,” Bhat said.
According to the legislator, Bonakoot village in Bandipora was among the worst-affected areas, with reports indicating substantial losses to agricultural produce and orchards.
The spell of rain and hail followed an unusually warm day across the Valley. According to the Meteorological Department, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 30.7 degrees Celsius, four degrees above normal, while the minimum settled at 19.2 degrees Celsius, the highest night temperature recorded so far this season.
Qazigund registered a maximum temperature of 29 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 29.4 degrees Celsius and Kupwara 27.8 degrees Celsius. Jammu city recorded a maximum of 37.7 degrees Celsius.
The Meteorological Department has advised residents, particularly those living in vulnerable areas, to remain alert as further rain, thunderstorms and localised flash floods remain possible.