Kashmir parts witness hailstorms, heavy rainfall

Srinagar, Jun 9: Several parts of Kashmir witnessed hailstorms and heavy rainfall on Tuesday, bringing temporary relief from rising temperatures, while the Meteorological Department forecast a significant change in weather across Jammu and Kashmir from June 11, with thunderstorms, gusty winds and intense showers likely at many places.
According to reports, Shopian witnessed an intense hailstorm this afternoon, while rain and hailstorms were reported from Banihal in Ramban district. Heavy rainfall was recorded in parts of Kulgam and Bijbehara in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Reports of rainfall and hailstorms also emerged from several areas of North Kashmir, including Bandipora and Baramulla districts, where residents experienced a sudden change in weather conditions after a largely warm day.
The weather activity came even as severe heatwave conditions continued to affect parts of Jammu division, particularly Udhampur district, which remained among the worst-hit areas in the Union Territory.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), temperatures across several parts of north India are likely to remain above normal until June 11, with daytime temperatures expected to rise by 2 to 4 degrees Celsius before gradually declining in the following days.
The IMD has issued heatwave alerts for isolated areas of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh, Delhi, western Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh, with warnings remaining in force through Wednesday in most places.
Meteorologists, however, said relief is likely as a fresh Western Disturbance is expected to affect the Western Himalayan region beginning June 11.
Director of the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, Mukhtar Ahmad, told KNO that weather conditions are expected to remain largely hot and dry across Jammu and Kashmir till June 10, although brief afternoon showers at isolated places cannot be ruled out.
He said that from June 11 to June 14, the Union Territory is likely to witness partly to generally cloudy weather, with light rain, brief intense showers, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds at scattered to many places.
“Thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms and gusty winds with speeds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour, gusting up to 60 kilometres per hour, accompanied by brief intense showers, are expected at isolated to scattered locations during the period,” Ahmad said.
The IMD has also forecast isolated to scattered rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand between June 9 and June 14. Rainfall activity is expected to extend to Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and parts of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan from June 10 onwards.
Weather officials warned that intense rainfall at some places in the Kashmir and Jammu divisions could trigger flash floods, mudslides and localised flooding in vulnerable areas between June 11 and June 14.
Authorities have advised residents, farmers and travellers to remain alert and follow official weather advisories, particularly in areas prone to landslides, flash floods and thunderstorm-related incidents.
The expected rainfall and drop in temperatures are likely to bring relief from the ongoing heatwave, though officials cautioned that severe weather conditions could pose risks in some areas. (KNO)