Tanveer Hussain
Budgam, June 8: A severe windstorm late Sunday night unleashed widespread destruction across Khag and several surrounding villages in central Kashmir’s Budgam district, prompting urgent appeals for relief and rehabilitation.
Accompanied by intense thundershowers and gusty winds clocking 40–60 km/h, the storm left behind a trail of devastation. Rooftops were ripped off homes, trees uprooted, and vital infrastructure damaged. Videos circulating on social media show terrifying scenes—one notably capturing the roof of a commercial building being torn away by the force of the storm.
Villages including Lassipora, Khag, Khanpora, Kanchtipora, Habbar, and Kangripora bore the brunt of the storm. Residents reported that numerous homes, particularly those belonging to poor families, were severely damaged—many now standing roofless and uninhabitable.
In addition to residential destruction, apple orchards—central to the local economy—have been battered by the wind, threatening the livelihoods of many families as the crucial crop season begins.
Locals have made an urgent appeal to the Deputy Commissioner of Budgam to dispatch teams for on-ground assessment and to begin immediate distribution of relief materials. They are demanding temporary shelters for the displaced and construction material to help rebuild homes before the onset of monsoon rains.
Criticism is mounting over what residents see as the administration’s lack of preparedness and delayed response. “There’s an urgent need to strengthen disaster management, especially in remote and vulnerable areas,” said a local resident.
While no casualties have been reported, the damage assessment is still underway. Authorities have advised residents to remain indoors and avoid travel until weather conditions stabilize. [KNT]
