Rains bring brief relief in J&K, MeT predicts more showers

Srinagar, Aug 22: Intermittent rain lashed parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, bringing some relief from hot and humid conditions even as the Meteorological Centre here warned of possible flash floods, mudslides and landslides in vulnerable areas due to intense showers.
The weather remained generally hot and humid across the Union Territory, with scattered to many places witnessing rain and thundershowers. Brief spells of intense rainfall were likely at isolated places, particularly in parts of the Jammu division, mainly during the early morning and afternoon hours, the MeT said.
According to the evening weather bulletin, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 32.2 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 20.6 degrees Celsius, while Jammu recorded a maximum of 32.7 degrees and a minimum of 24.9 degrees.
Pahalgam recorded 25.5 degrees Celsius as the maximum and 15.4 degrees as the minimum, while Gulmarg remained the coolest among the stations, recording a maximum of 20.8 degrees and a minimum of 11.4 degrees.
Qazigund recorded 30.4 degrees Celsius as the maximum and 18 degrees as the minimum, Kupwara 31 degrees and 17.9 degrees, and Kokernag 30.6 degrees and 17.6 degrees, respectively.
Banihal recorded a maximum of 28.4 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 18.5 degrees, Batote 27.4 degrees and 19 degrees, Katra 31 degrees and 23.5 degrees, and Bhaderwah 29.6 degrees and 18 degrees.
During the 24 hours ending 8:30 am, Pahalgam received 1 mm of rainfall and Jammu 3.2 mm, while Srinagar recorded 0.0 mm. During the period from 8:30 am to 5:30 pm, Pahalgam received 4 mm, Srinagar 0.6 mm and Jammu 0.3 mm of rainfall.
The MeT said the weather is expected to remain mostly fine on August 23, though a few places could receive thundershowers during the early morning and afternoon hours. A short-duration shower is possible at a few places on August 24, while similar conditions are likely on August 25 and from August 26 to 28, mainly towards the afternoon.
From August 23 to 28, the overall weather is expected to remain largely hot and humid, with brief spells of rain and thundershowers at scattered places.
The department has also forecast another spell of light to moderate rain and thundershowers at scattered to many places from August 29 to 31, with brief intense showers likely, particularly in the Jammu division.
The MeT cautioned that localised heavy rainfall could trigger flash floods, mudslides and landslides in vulnerable areas and advised people to exercise caution during periods of intense rainfall.
“Risk of high-intensity showers will continue. As such, flash floods are possible in a few spots,” the weather department said.
Farmers have been advised to continue harvesting and other agricultural operations according to local weather conditions.
The MeT also advised orchardists to undertake spraying preferably during the morning hours. In hilly areas, spraying should ideally be completed by late morning, preferably by noon, to minimise the risk of showers developing during the afternoon.
In the plains, spraying can be extended into the afternoon if required, while farmers in hilly areas have been advised to complete the activity by late morning and, where possible, in installments.
The weather department said mostly dry conditions are expected over much of the coming week, but intermittent showers and the possibility of high-intensity rainfall at isolated locations will continue. (KNO)