Rain showers end heatwave

Srinagar, July 29: Thundershowers swept through most parts of Kashmir on Monday, offering much-needed respite from the recent spell of scorching heat and high humidity.

The Meteorological Department (MeT) has forecast further precipitation at isolated places over the next 24 hours.

Rainfall was recorded in various parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar, where residents experienced a welcome break from the prolonged dry weather and heatwave conditions.

Despite the relief, Srinagar registered its hottest minimum temperature in 132 years, reaching 24.8 degrees Celsius during the night between Sunday and Monday.

According to a MeT official, this marked the second-highest minimum temperature ever recorded for the city.

Both locals and tourists were seen enjoying the cool showers, a stark contrast to the previous day when Srinagar experienced its highest maximum temperature since 1997, peaking at 36.2 degrees Celsius.

Other parts of Kashmir recorded varying temperatures on Monday.

Srinagar recorded 27.7 degrees Celsius, Qazigund 28.4 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 24.3 degrees Celsius, Kupwara 32 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 28.1 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg 20.8 degrees Celsius, and Jammu 33 degrees Celsius.

The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar has forecast rain and thundershowers for many parts of Kashmir division, including popular tourist spots like Gulmarg, Tangmarg, and areas in Baramulla, as well as Doodh Pathri, Khan Sahab, and surrounding areas of Budgam.

Pulwama, Shopian, Qazigund, Anantnag, and parts of Srinagar and Ganderbal are also expected to receive rainfall, with some areas potentially experiencing brief but intense showers.

The MeT office has indicated that the region will remain generally cloudy with intermittent light to moderate rain and thundershowers over the next two days.

This pattern is expected to continue from August 1 to 7, with widespread areas of Jammu division also likely to experience similar weather conditions.

An advisory issued by the MeT office has warned of possible flash floods, cloudbursts, landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones in vulnerable areas of Kashmir and Jammu due to intense showers. There is also a possibility of heavy rainfall in a few places within the Jammu division.

The residents have been advised to stay alert and take necessary precautions during this period of unpredictable weather.