MeT predicts 2-day wet spell from Saturday

Srinagar, June 9: After witnessing scorching heat wave conditions for the last three days, there is possibility of a respite as the Meteorological Department has predicted a two-day wet spell in Jammu and Kashmir beginning Saturday and cloudy weather on Friday.

Sweltering hot weather continued on Wednesday as the summer capital witnessed the hottest day of the season and recorded 34.7 degrees Celsius, 6.8 degrees Celsius above normal. This temperature is the second highest June temperature in Srinagar in the last 11 years .

This also makes Srinagar the hottest recorded weather station in the Valley, followed by Kupwara in north Kashmir which recorded 34.6 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. It may be mentioned that the highest June temperature in Srinagar during the last 11 years is 35 degrees Celsius recorded on June 3, 2018. The highest ever temperature in June in the summer capital is 37.8 degrees Celsius recorded on June 29, 1978, said MeT data.

A MeT official said weather in Kashmir was likely to remain cloudy on Friday and the heat wave will last till Thursday.

On Tuesday, Srinagar had recorded 34.3 degrees Celsius while other parts of the Valley had also witnessed the intense heat wave. Youngsters could be seen taking a dip in different water bodies to beat the heat.

Deputy Director MeT, Mukhtar Ahmad told the Greater Kashmir that there is possibility of light rains in Valley from Friday onwards and widespread rains are likely to occur on Sunday.

“This wet spell will bring a great respite from prevailing hot weather conditions in the Valley. From the past several days we are witnessing a sharp increase in day temperatures in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions,” Ahmad said. He said intensity of the rainfall would be more during the forthcoming wet spell in the Jammu region as compared to Valley parts.

The ski-resort Gulmarg on Wednesday recorded 24.5 degrees Celsius, which is 5.9 degrees above the normal.