5 killed, 30 hurt, 100 houses damaged in JK storm

Srinagar, May 19: Five persons, including a resident of Jharkhand, were killed and over 30 wounded when a strong wind with a speed of 74-km per hour hit the Kashmir valley,affecting electricity and water supply besides uprooting trees and damaging fruit crops and about 100 houses and other structures.

However, unconfirmed reports said six people have died in the storm.

Officials said they rescued about 250 tourists besides locals from the famed Dal and Nigeen Lakes after strong winds followed by heavy rains hit several parts of the valley, including the summer capital, Srinagar.

A police spokesman told UNI that three persons Abdul Rehman Nadroo was killed at Wasun, Ghulam Hassan Wani at Bahipora and Raj Uddin, a resident of, at Uri when came under huge tree branches and rooftops last night.

He said about 100 houses and other structures were damaged in the storm.

A report from Baramulla said one Abdul Ahad Dar was killed at Wahipora when a tree fell on him while one Ghulam Qadir died when the rooftop of his house was blown up.

Report said three persons were injured when a tree fell on their vehicle on Srinagar-Baramulla road. Four persons were injured at Nagri, Handwara when the rooftop of a house fell on them.

The sources said x x x picking up from para Six of DR 16 ''weather-kashmir Storm''.

UNI