Massive damage as storms rip across Kashmir Valley

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Property worth crores of rupees was damaged by powerful overnight storms which hit Kashmir Valley forcing authorities to announce closure of all schools to ensure safety of the students.

As per preliminary reports, at least 300 residences were damaged by the strong winds blowing at around 30 knots, official sources said, adding that, however, no reports of any loss of life have been received so far despite extensive damages.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who took stock of the damages, wrote on his Twitter page that the situation will be properly assessed once the winds stop.

"Reports still coming in of damage to homes on account of tin roofs blowing away. Will wait for the winds to ease before we get final number," Omar wrote. He said that the power infrastructure was the hardest hit because of trees falling on supply lines.

"(Power Development) Department (is) working to restore (electricity). All but one major hospital has been reconnected," he added on the micro-blogging site.

Power supply has been snapped as a precautionary measure as electricity poles have been uprooted at many places. Phone and power lines have also been snapped in many areas.

A large number of people preferred to stay indoors to avoid getting hit by falling trees, poles, advertising hoardings and GI sheets flying off the roof tops. Many tourists were evacuated from Dal Lake by Police as a precautionary measure in view of possible overturning of the houseboats due to the storm, officials said.

A group of tourists had a narrow escape when a tree fell on their hut in Pahalgam resort in south Kashmir, they said.