A massive thunderstorm accompanied by hail, heavy rainfall, and violent winds swept through the Jammu region, unleashing chaos on Wednesday evening. Wind speeds ranging from 90 to 114 km/h uprooted trees, brought down electric poles and communication towers, blocked roads, and left the entire Jammu division in complete darkness.
Widespread Damage to Infrastructure and Power Supply
The powerful windstorm knocked down trees and electricity poles across all 10 districts of the Jammu division, leading to extensive traffic disruptions and a total power blackout. Roads in Jammu City and highways connecting areas like Akhnoor, R.S. Pura, Talab Tillo, and Nagrota were severely affected. In several places, traffic had to be rerouted due to fallen debris and obstructions.
A portion of the #civilsecretariat boundary wall collapsed late Wednesday evening after a high-speed windstorm lashed #Jammu city. pic.twitter.com/afDMpaakbI
— Mohit Kandhari (@mkandharii) April 17, 2025
In a significant incident, a portion of the wall of the Civil Secretariat in Jammu collapsed, damaging parked vehicles and two-wheelers. Near Bahu Fort, a cell tower crash-landed on two motorbikes and a nearby structure. Fortunately, no injuries or loss of life have been reported.
Electricity Crisis Grips the Region
Chief Engineer of Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (JPDCL), K.K. Thappa, confirmed that the storm caused substantial damage to the power infrastructure. Transmission lines of 220KV, 33KV, and 11KV were disrupted, plunging districts like Samba, Kathua, Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Katra, Udhampur, Ramban, Doda, and Kishtwar into darkness.
Thappa added, “We have mobilized teams and machinery to initiate restoration. If the attempt from Salal Power Station is successful, some parts of Jammu City may see power restored by midnight, while efforts continue to restore supply to other districts by tomorrow afternoon.”
He also stated that a complete damage assessment is underway, with reports of broken cables, destroyed transformers, and collapsed towers pouring in from different areas.
High Wind Speeds Recorded Across Jammu Division
According to Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Director of the Meteorological Department in Srinagar, the highest wind speed was recorded in South Jammu, Chatha, and Satwari areas—touching a staggering 114 km/h. Other areas also saw significant gusts, with wind speeds of 74–80 km/h in North Jammu, 102 km/h in Samba, 70 km/h in Kathua, and 68–70 km/h in Reasi and Katra.
Weather Forecast: More Rain and Storms Ahead
Dr. Ahmed predicted persistent wet weather across the region starting April 18. The forecast includes light to moderate rainfall in most areas and snowfall in higher altitudes. April 19 is expected to witness the most intense activity, with yellow and orange alerts already issued. On April 21, cloudy skies with scattered showers are expected, while generally dry weather is forecast from April 22 to 25.
With the hailstorm and rain, temperatures dropped significantly throughout the region, adding to the discomfort of the residents.
Landslides and Lightning-Related Incidents Reported
A landslide on the Jammu-Poonch highway near Gambhir Brahmana in Rajouri district halted traffic for over two hours. Vehicles were stuck on both ends as road widening and rain contributed to the collapse. GREF authorities deployed two JCBs to clear the debris and restore traffic flow.
In another alarming incident, lightning struck a carry bag manufacturing unit in Fatehpur, Rajouri, igniting a massive fire. The blaze caused damage worth lakhs. Eyewitnesses noticed flames in the evening and called fire services after failed attempts to douse it themselves.
Traffic Jams on Major Highways
Traffic movement on major routes such as Jammu-Samba-Kathua and Jammu-Katra-Reasi was heavily affected due to uprooted trees and fallen infrastructure. Massive traffic jams were reported from multiple areas, causing long delays and discomfort to commuters.
Lightning Claims Livestock; Property Damage Reported
In Ramban’s Gool area and Mahore’s Chassana region, at least a dozen goats and sheep were killed due to lightning and hailstorm. In Damni, three cattle perished due to a cloudburst, which also damaged a house and a car.
Farmers reported severe damage to fruit-bearing trees due to hailstorms, especially in Rajouri, Poonch, Reasi, Udhampur, and Ramban. Mango orchards in the lower Shivalik belt of Jammu, Samba, and Kathua also suffered significant losses.
Rain Lashes Kashmir Valley After Hottest Day of the Season
After recording the season’s hottest day, the Kashmir Valley experienced heavy rainfall on Wednesday evening. Cloudy skies turned into steady rain showers across central and northern parts of the Valley, including Srinagar. The temperature dipped, bringing relief from the recent heatwave.
A dramatic incident occurred on Dal Lake, where a boat capsized amid gusty winds. All passengers were rescued, and the video of the incident quickly went viral on social media.
Met Office Issues Advisory for Travelers
The Meteorological Department has advised all travelers to follow traffic and administrative guidelines due to potential risks of landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones—especially along the vulnerable Jammu-Srinagar National Highway. The public has been urged to postpone non-essential travel and stay updated with weather advisories.
As the Jammu region continues to recover from one of the most destructive weather events in recent times, authorities are working round-the-clock to restore power, clear roads, and ensure public safety. With more rain and storms on the horizon, residents are advised to remain indoors, follow safety guidelines, and stay connected with local weather updates for timely information.
Stay tuned for more updates on the storm’s impact and recovery efforts across Jammu & Kashmir.
