Mercury soars across JK, 33.4 Deg Cel in Srinagar

Srinagar, Jul 16: People in Kashmir Valley endured a hot day as mercury soared to 33.4 degrees Celsius in summer capital Srinagar, officials said on Friday.
A meteorological department official said that today’s maximum temperature in Srinagar was two degrees higher than the previous day and nearly four degrees above normal.
Jammu, the winter capital of J&K, recorded a maximum of 35.2 degrees Celsius against normal of 34.2 degrees Celsius and previous day’s 34.9 degree Celsius, he said.
Qazigund, the gate town of Kashmir, recorded maximum of 31.0 (against normal of 27.9) degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 27.8 degrees Celsius while Kokernag recorded 31.6 degrees Celsius, the official said.
The border town Kupwara recorded maximum temperature of 33.8 degrees Celsius against normal of 30.5 degree Celsius, he said.
World famous skiing and tourist resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir recording maximum of 23.4 degrees Celsius against the normal of 20.8 degree Celsius for this time of the season for the place, the official added.
The official said there was possibility of light rain with thunder at isolated to scattered places in J&K till 18th July
“There will be gradual rise in maximum temperature till July 18,” he said, adding, “There is possibility of moderate rain at widespread places with thunder and gusty winds most likely during July 19-21. Besides there are chances of heavy Rainfall at isolated places during the above period,” he said.
Regarding rainfall scenario in Jammu and Kashmir, he said Jammu, Poonch, Ramban, Udhampur, Bandipora, Baramulla, Ganderbal, Pulwama and Srinagar had normal rainfall while Reasi and Samba had excess.
Anantnag, Budgam, Kulgam, Kupwara, Shopian, Kathua, Rajouri and Kishtwar districts had deficit rainfall, he added. (GNS)