Owais Gul
Srinagar, May 6: Compared to previous year—2022, Jammu and Kashmir has received more rains in the first four months, however, the data reveals that the Union Territory has recorded a deficient rainfall of 23 percent from January 2023-April 2023.
Data shared by an Independent Weather Forecaster, Faizan Arif Keng reveal that in the first four months last year, J&K had recorded a deficient rainfall of 40% as against the normal rainfall of 476.5 mm, the Union Territory had received a rainfall of only 285.8 mm.
However, the J&K for the same period this year has recorded only 23% deficient rainfall as against the normal rainfall of 478 mm, the UT has received 368.2mm rainfall since January 2023-April 2023.
According to the data, January 2023 has received the highest rainfall comparatively to the next three months of the year as the month has recorded 42% excess rainfall while February and March have recorded a deficient rainfall of 69% and 48% deficient rainfall respectively. The data further shows that April 2023 recorded excess rainfall of 14%.
In January 2022, J&K has recorded a rainfall of 168.7 mm against the normal precipitation of 93.1 mm while in February and March, J&K has recorded a rainfall of 77.2 mm & 18.3 mm respectively. The Union Territory in the month of April has recorded a rainfall of 21.6 mm.
In comparison, J&K in the month of January 2023, has recorded a rainfall of 135.1 mm against the normal precipitation of 95.1 mm while in February and March, J&K has recorded a rainfall of 40.7 mm & 78.9 mm respectively. The Union Territory in the month of April has recorded a rainfall of 113.5 mm.
Moreover, as per the seasonal data prepared by Meteorological department (MeT) here, J&K has received deficient rainfall since March 01, 2023-May 03, 2023 while Kishtwar, Kathua and Shopian districts have recorded highest deficient rainfall of 57%, 45% and 38% respectively.
Meanwhile, the erratic weather conditions prevailed across J&K for the last few months while the weatherman here has predicted more rains till May 08, 2023.
As the rains lash plains across J&K, a few places including Sonamarg received fresh snowfall today, bringing down the temperature in the Union Territory.
Report said that the intermittent rainfall lashed several areas including the plains since this morning.
Director MeT, Sonum Lotus said that there is a possibility of rains/thunderstorms at many places of J&K while hailstorm and gusty wind is also expected at scattered places during the next two days.
He further said that the weather would remain mainly dry from May 09-May 12, 2023.
Advising farmers to postpone spraying of orchards and harvesting of crops till May 08, Director MeT further appealed to tourists to keep warm & eatables ready as the weather would be colder till May 08.
The Director also stated that the rain may cause temporary disruption of surface transportation on National Highways Jammu-Srinagar, Zojilla etc and advised people to check road status before embarking on journey.
