Cold wave continues as J&K faces 86pc rainfall deficit
Kashmir continues to reel under a severe cold wave even as a prolonged dry spell over the past month has plunged the union Territory into an 86% rainfall deficit.
Kashmir’s independent weather forecaster
Faizan Arif Keng said Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing an unusually prolonged dry phase since November 5, with almost nil precipitation recorded across most parts of the region.
He said between November 1 and December 9, J&K should have received an average of 43.1 mm of rainfall. However, only 6.1 mm has been recorded so far, resulting in a sharp 86% precipitation deficit.
Faizan, who runs weather channel “Kashmir Weather” on social media said the persistent dryness has now begun to reflect in river flows. “The water level of Jhelum River at Sangam ( in south Kashmir) has slipped to -0.59 ft, dropping below the zero-gauge level. This does not yet represent the lowest level ever observed, however, it remains one of the lowest readings recorded for the river in recent years,” he said.
“With no major rain or snowfall forecast for the next seven days, the river’s levels could decline even further in the coming days,” he added.
The independent weather forecaster said the
extended dry conditions have also significantly increased the risk of forest fires across many vulnerable zones of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The absence of moisture, coupled with dry vegetation and surface heating, has created favorable conditions for fire outbreaks,” he added.
Meanwhile, cold conditions continued across Kashmir as night temperatures settled 1-2°C below normal in most parts of the Valley, while Jammu division recorded temperatures near normal, the Meteorological Department said on Wednesday.
Kupwara remained the coldest place in Kashmir at -4.2°C, while Bhaderwah in Jammu division recorded the lowest minimum at 0.8°C.
Gulmarg recorded a minimum temperature of -1.5°C, while Pahalgam shivered at -3.6°C. In Srinagar, the mercury dipped to -1.9°C, as Qazigund and Kokernag logged lows of -1.6°C and -1.8°C respectively
The MeT office has predicted mainly dry conditions for the next 24 hours and similar dry weather outlook for the following two days.
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