Rains break heatwave in Kashmir parts

Srinagar, July 4: The late Thursday night rains broke the ongoing heatwave in parts of Kashmir after scorching heat gripped the Valley with temperatures soaring to new records.

The rains started late Thursday night bringing relief from the scorching heat.

The Meteorological Department had predicted chances of rains and thunderstorms from Thursday night across Jammu and Kashmir.

The MeT officials said that Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 35.7 degrees Celsius on Thursday, surpassing Wednesday’s 35.6 degrees Celsius slightly.

This temperature rise is just short of the 37 degrees Celsius mark on July 9, 1999.

Previous highs include 35.5 degrees Celsius observed in 2005 and 2006, while the highest-ever recorded temperature for the city stands at a blistering 38.3 degrees Celsius registered in 1946.

In Kokernag, the heatwave has also reached unprecedented levels.

The town experienced a maximum temperature of 33 degrees Celsius.

This follows Wednesday’s record-breaking 33.3 degrees Celsius, now the highest temperature ever recorded in Kokernag.

Previously, the town’s highest recorded temperature was 33 degrees Celsius, set in 1993.

FORECAST

The MeT officials issued a detailed weather forecast and advisory for J&K, predicting intermittent spells of rain and thunderstorms over the next week.

The region was expected to experience light to moderate rain and thundershowers in many areas, with isolated heavy rainfall, particularly in the Jammu division on Thursday.

On Friday and Saturday (July 5 and 6), the MeT predicted intermittent moderate rainfall across most of J&K, with heavy showers anticipated in some locations.

On July 7, it predicted light to moderate rain and thundershowers in many places.

From July 8 to 10, it forecast hot and humid weather would prevail with scattered rain and thundershowers expected late at night or early morning in the Jammu division, and at a few places in the Kashmir division.

ADVISORY AND CAUTIONS

The MeT warned of possible flash floods, landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones in vulnerable areas up to July 6.

It said that the low-lying areas might experience temporary waterlogging.

The MeT advisory said that there is also a risk of moderate thunderstorms and lightning in some regions.

“The residents are advised to stay alert and take necessary precautions to ensure safety during this period of unstable weather. Travelers are especially urged to check weather conditions and road status before planning their journeys,” the advisory said.