CYCLONIC WIND STORM: 1 DIED, 10,000 STRUCTURES DAMAGED, WEATHER LIKELY TO IMPROVE ON WEDNESDAY

Srinagar Mar 20 (Only Kashmir): A cyclonic wind storm started from afternoon of 19th March 2012, with an average speed of 24.7 knots and reached maximum speed of 40 knots. The minimum temperature increased by 12 degrees above normal, due to steep pressure gradient over the Valley causing a wind storm, which resulted in damage to properties, in the Valley. One person namely Mohammed Maqbool Magray S/o Mohammed Ramzan R/o Kachnambal, Kangan (District Ganderbal) Aged 45 years expired when a branch of Chinar tree fell on him.

In Srinagar district, heavy windstorm damaged the roof tops of 727 houses including a Masjid Rajab Sahib at Urdu Bazar. 400 houses were damaged in Harwan and 255 house were damaged in Nehru Park, besides, one person also received injuries. A Chinar tree fell in the Shalimar Garden. Two private vehicles were also damaged in the windstorm.

In Ganderbal District, roof tops of 202 structures were damaged including a Mosque in Safapora and two Schools in Gund.

In Kulgam District 56 structures including a Mosque and a School building at D.H Pora besides, three persons got injured at Qaimoh.

In district Anantnag 88 structures including few hotels in Pahalgam were damaged in the windstorms. One tourist got injured at Pahalgam, however, timely action of Pahalgam police saved five tourists at Pahalgam.

In District Pulwama three houses got damaged and one person was injured in the strong windstorm.

In Kupwara, Shopian and Awantipora rooftops of 34 houses were damaged by the windstorm.

In Bandipora Assistant Sub- Inspector Abdul Rashid Incharge Police Post Peth Kote received minor injuries when the roof top of the police post was brought down by the windstorm. The ASI was shifted to sub district hospital Bandipora for treatment. The roof tops of police station Bandipora and police station building Argam were also damaged in the windstorm.

Baramulla Uri Road was blocked at Bandi Uri due to landslide. The road was restored for movement of traffic in the afternoon.

Srinagar Baramulla road was also blocked near Hanjiwera Pattan due to felling on poplar tree on theNational Highway. (OK)