Rains bring relief from heatwave in J&K

Srinagar, Jul 2: Rainfall across several parts of Jammu and Kashmir brought relief from the recent heatwave on Thursday, with maximum temperatures settling at or below normal in most places.
According to data, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 29.1 degrees Celsius, 0.5 degrees below normal, while Jammu registered 34.5 degrees Celsius, 1.5 degrees below normal.
Other major stations in Kashmir recorded 28.5 degrees Celsius in Qazigund, 28.7 degrees in Kupwara, 27.6 degrees in Kokernag, 22.1 degrees in Pahalgam and 21.6 degrees in Gulmarg.
In the Jammu region, Banihal recorded 28 degrees Celsius, Batote 25.1 degrees, Bhaderwah 26.5 degrees and Katra 32 degrees Celsius, all remaining below normal for this time of the year.
The improvement in weather followed rainfall in several districts over the past 24 hours. Kathua received the highest rainfall in the Union Territory at 85.8 mm, followed by Katra with 39 mm, Ramban 34.5 mm and Kishtwar 25 mm.
In the Kashmir Valley, Batkoot recorded 27 mm of rain, Pampore 24.5 mm, Pahalgam 13.2 mm, Kokernag 11.7 mm, Sonamarg 11.5 mm and Qazigund 9 mm. Srinagar received 2.4 mm of rainfall during the period.
The MeT office said the current spell has been caused by the interaction of active monsoon winds with a series of weak western disturbances affecting the region.
It said hot and humid conditions are likely to return between July 5 and July 8, although scattered rain and thunderstorms are expected to continue, particularly over parts of the Jammu division.
He cautioned that while widespread flooding is not anticipated, short-duration intense rainfall and isolated cloudbursts could trigger localized flash floods, waterlogging, landslides and a rise in water levels in streams and nallahs. (KNO)