A squall triggered by a powerful thunderstorm accompanied by high-velocity winds wreaked havoc across Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur districts on Thursday, leaving a widespread trail of destruction. The storm damaged electricity infrastructure, uprooted a large number of trees, disrupted traffic and claimed one life.
According to preliminary estimates, the storm damaged around 718 electricity transformers and 4,343 power poles across the three border districts.
Chief Engineer (Powercom) Surinder Kumar said the department suffered extensive losses to the distribution network, including transformers, conductors and cables, worth nearly Rs 9 crore. He added that details regarding damage to 66 kV and 220 kV transmission lines were still being compiled.
Winds reaching speeds of 50-80 kmph in some areas snapped overhead power lines and uprooted trees across urban and rural regions, resulting in prolonged power outages. Emergency teams of PSPCL have been working round the clock to restore electricity supply and repair damaged infrastructure.
The storm also proved fatal for one person in the Namak Mandi area of the city. He died after a wall collapsed on him during the squall.
Several major roads, including Race Course Road, Maqbool Road and stretches in Ranjit Avenue, witnessed traffic disruptions due to uprooted trees and fallen branches. Heavy delays were reported as debris blocked key city routes.
The Amritsar Municipal Corporation launched an extensive restoration and clearance operation immediately after the storm. Acting on directions from the Mayor and the MC Commissioner, teams from the Horticulture Department were deployed at multiple locations across the city.
Estate Officer Shushant Bhatia said various teams, led by MC officials Yadwinder Singh, Raghunandan, and Kulwant Singh, cleared fallen trees and restored traffic movement at the Lawrence Road near BBK DAV College, Nayyar Hospital Chowk, outside Trillium Mall, Company Bagh, Gole Bagh, Mata Kaulan Marg, Green Avenue, Lohgarh Chowk and several other affected locations.
Officials said complaints received from Green Avenue were promptly resolved, while issues related to power infrastructure were referred to PSPCL for immediate action. The Hathi Gate-Lohgarh Road stretch and other major routes were reopened after extensive clearance work.
