Rains lash J&K parts; MeT forecasts hot, humid weather till Aug 27

Srinagar, Aug 20: Rains lashed parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, with several areas receiving light to moderate showers as the Meteorological Centre forecast generally hot and humid conditions with intermittent rainfall across the Union Territory till August 27.
The weather department said one or two spells of light to moderate rain or thundershowers are likely at scattered to many places from August 21 to 22, with brief intense heavy showers possible in a few districts during the early morning and afternoon hours.
“From August 23 to 27, generally hot and humid weather is expected, with brief spells of rain or thundershowers at scattered places during the early morning and afternoon hours,” the weather department said.
According to the India Meteorological Department’s evening weather bulletin, Pahalgam received 4.4 mm of rainfall between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on Thursday, while Gulmarg recorded 2.4 mm during the period.
Gulmarg received 14.2 mm of rainfall in the preceding 24 hours, while Katra recorded the highest rainfall among the stations listed in the bulletin at 39 mm. Jammu received 0.2 mm during the daytime period and 4.1 mm in the preceding 24 hours.
Pahalgam recorded 1.4 mm of rainfall in the preceding 24 hours, while Batote received 3.8 mm, Banihal 1.6 mm and Bhaderwah 1.1 mm. Kukernag received 2.4 mm during the preceding 24 hours.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 29.0 degrees Celsius, one degree below normal, and a minimum of 21.0 degrees Celsius, 3.6 degrees above normal.
Qazigund recorded a maximum of 27.4 degrees Celsius and minimum of 19.4 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara recorded 28.6 degrees Celsius and 20.1 degrees Celsius respectively. Kukernag recorded 27.9 degrees Celsius and 18.3 degrees Celsius.
Gulmarg recorded a maximum of 18.4 degrees Celsius and minimum of 12.5 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam recorded 20.8 degrees Celsius and 16.4 degrees Celsius respectively.
In the Jammu region, Jammu recorded a maximum of 29.7 degrees Celsius and minimum of 23.8 degrees Celsius. Banihal recorded 25.1 degrees Celsius and 18.8 degrees Celsius, Batote 24.4 degrees Celsius and 20.4 degrees Celsius, Katra 27.0 degrees Celsius and 22.0 degrees Celsius, and Bhaderwah 25.2 degrees Celsius and 17.0 degrees Celsius.
The weather department advised people, particularly those living in vulnerable and hilly areas, to remain cautious during intense rainfall spells in view of the possibility of brief heavy showers.
It also said farmers could continue harvesting and other agricultural operations, subject to local weather conditions. (KNO)