Jammu, May 20: Normal life in Jammu and its outskirts was paralysed as a dust storm hit the city on Sunday evening.
 "There was a dust storm and dazzle in the capital with winds travelling at a velocity of around 30 kilometer per hour," said an official from the meteorological department.
 Reports from various parts of the city revealed that the life came to grinding halt in these areas as heavy winds coupled with dust hit the summer capital of the state.
 Uprooting of trees was also reported from various parts, while at certain places the power transmission lines also suffered damage. The electric supply in most parts of the city remained affected as the Power Development Department immediately resorted to shut down to avoid any damage.
 “The storm was the result of abrupt fall of wind pressure across the state on Sunday”, Director Indian Metrological Department, .J&K, Sonum Lotus told Greater Kashmir, over phone from Srinagar.
 He said that such kinds of activities were common in the month of May. “However, this year the weather activities in the month of May have remained unusual”, he said adding even the temperature has seen considerably lower trend this year.
 Earlier in the day, the mercury shot up to at least two notches above average at 39.5 degrees Celsius.
 The minimum temperature on Sunday was recorded at 24.6 degrees, while humidity wavered between a high and low of 60 and 21 percent.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 20 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 21 May 2012 00:00:00 IST