Sajid Raina
Srinagar, Feb 19: Amid a significant precipitation deficit in Jammu and Kashmir, maximum temperatures on Thursday rose sharply above normal across the Union Territory, further intensifying weather concerns.
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar, informed that Kashmir division has recorded a 56% rainfall deficit so far, while the Jammu division is facing a 35 per cent shortfall.
The MeT said that the weather is expected to remain mainly dry from February 19 to 26. On February 27 and 28, light rain or snowfall is likely at a few places. During the first week of March, the weather will remain generally cloudy on March 1, followed by light rain or snow at isolated places on March 2 and 3. From March 4 to 7, conditions are expected to remain partly cloudy.
Meanwhile, several stations recorded temperatures well above normal, with some touching record-breaking levels.
In the Kashmir region, Srinagar recorded a maximum of 20.1 degrees Celsius, which is 9.7 degrees above normal.
Qazigund registered 20.4 degrees Celsius, 10.9 degrees above normal, while Pahalgam settled at 16.0 degrees Celsius, 9 degrees above normal.
Kupwara recorded 19.4 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 17.8 degrees Celsius and Gulmarg 11.4 degrees Celsius, all significantly above seasonal averages.
In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded 27.0 degrees Celsius, 5.1 degrees above normal. Banihal registered 19.8 degrees Celsius, Batote 19.5 degrees Celsius, Katra 24.6 degrees Celsius and Bhaderwah 18.9 degrees Celsius, each reporting temperatures several degrees above normal.
