Intermittent rains continue across J&K
Intermittent rains continued across Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, causing day temperatures to dip sharply below normal and bringing further relief from the recent spell of hot and humid weather.
According to the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, many parts of Kashmir received one or two spells of rain or thundershowers during the past 24 hours, while isolated areas of the Chenab Valley and the Pir Panjal range in the Jammu division witnessed brief intense showers.
The rainfall led to a sharp decline in maximum temperatures across J&K, with most weather stations recording below-normal day temperatures. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 22.7 degrees Celsius, down from 30.2 degrees Celsius a day earlier and 7 degrees Celsius below normal. Qazigund recorded 23 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 22.5 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 18.5 degrees Celsius, and Gulmarg 16.6 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu division, Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 31.5 degrees Celsius, followed by Katra at 28.6 degrees Celsius, Banihal at 24 degrees Celsius, Batote at 24.1 degrees Celsius, and Bhaderwah at 23.8 degrees Celsius.
Light to moderate rainfall was recorded in several districts of south, central, and north Kashmir.
Rain also lashed the tourist resorts of Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg, besides the Pahalgam and Baltal routes of the Amarnath Yatra.
Despite the wet weather, the yatra continued without disruption. Pahalgam recorded the highest rainfall in Kashmir during the past 24 hours at 42.6 mm, largely due to a cloudburst in the Overa Wildlife Sanctuary on Saturday evening.
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Other rainfall totals included Poonch with 30 mm, Sonamarg 21 mm, Gulmarg 11.8 mm, and Baramulla 5.5 mm. On Saturday evening, another cloudburst struck Chattergul in Shangus, triggering a surge in the Aaripath stream and damaging residential houses, agricultural land and orchards.
The MeT Department said weather conditions are expected to remain mostly dry and generally hot and humid from July 13 to 18. However, isolated places, mainly in the Jammu division, may witness brief spells of rain or thundershowers accompanied by intense showers.
A fresh spell of light to moderate rain and thundershowers is likely to affect many places across Jammu and Kashmir between July 19 and 21, with isolated heavy showers also expected.
The department warned that heavy rainfall and brief intense showers could trigger flash floods, landslides, and mudslides in vulnerable areas of the Chenab Valley and the Pir Panjal range.
It advised residents, tourists, and travellers to avoid nallas, streams, and landslide-prone areas during heavy rain and to follow official weather advisories.
Director of the Meteorological Department, Mukhtar Ahmad, said the weather is likely to remain mostly dry from July 13 to 17, with only isolated brief showers expected at a few places.
He said day temperatures are likely to rise gradually during this period.