Rains bring relief from scorching heat in JK

Srinagar, July 12: After reeling from days of scorching heat, moderate to heavy rains have brought some relief to the people of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday.
Director Meteorological Department here, Sonam Lotus, said that rains occurred on expected lines and more were in store for both Jammu and Kashmir regions.
“As expected very heavy shower occurred at many places of plains of Jammu whereas moderate shower (has been) reported at many places of Kashmir and hilly area of Jammu,” he said, adding, “Today, weather will remain overcast to cloudy at most places of J&K.”
He said present shower may generate “flash flood” and landslide in hilly area which may lead to road blockades.
The Meteorological office forecast widespread moderate to heavy rain and thundershowers in Jammu and Kashmir division in next 24 hours.
Meanwhile a meteorological department official told GNS that Srinagar received 8.2mm of rain in 24 hours till 0830 hours and recorded minimum temperature of 18.1 degree Celsius against 22.8 degree Celsius on previous night. He said that day temperature also recorded a considerable drop, recording maximum of 25 degree Celsius against 33.7 degrees Celsius on previous day.
Jammu recorded 150.6mm of rain, highest across J&K, during the time, the official said.
He said that the winter capital of J&K recorded a low of 24.5 degree Celsius against the normal of 24.8 degree Celsius for this time of the year. It recorded maximum of 26.5 degrees Celsius against 34.8 degree Celsius normal for this time of the year.
With 76.6mm, Katra witnessed second highest rainfall in J&K during the time and recorded minimum temperature of 20.7 degree Celsius against 21.6 degrees Celsius normal for this time of the year.
Batote recorded 25.4mm of rain, Kathua 24.8mm, Banihal 6.4mm, Bhaderwah 10.4mm, the official said.
In Kashmir Valley, he said, Pahalgam received highest rainfall of 23.0mm of rain followed by Gulmarg, the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir which had 13.6mm of rain and was the coldest place in J&K as it recorded low temperature of 10.6 degree Celsius against 11.8 degree Celsius normal for the area during this time of the season, he said. Pahalgam, the famous tourist destination in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district, recorded 14.8 degree Celsius, the official said.
Qazigund, the gate town of Kashmir, received 5.2 mm of rain and recorded a low of 17.4 degree Celsius while Kokernag had 7.4mm of rain and recorded a low of 15.7 degree Celsius, he said.
Kupwara town received 9.7 mm of rain during the time and recorded a low of 19.2mm of rain, the official added.
Meanwhile, reports about flash flood due to cloudburst were received in Watlar area of Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district and Kathua.
Reports said water seeped into many houses while orchards suffered damage in Ganderbal.
“Disaster Management Team along with all line departments pressed men and machinery into the service on the spot and started restoration of affected services viz-a-viz dewatering from few houses through water pumps, clearance of road and pathways by removing debris, boulders and slit that had accumulated besides plugging of irrigation canals has also been started,” officials said.
They said assessment was conducted to ascertain severity of damage and it was found that “no house is completely damaged and no family has got displaced.”
They said revenue field agency under the supervision of Tehsildar Lar has surveyed the damage cases of houses, paddy fields, horticulture and poultry for processing relief cases and found that “no requirement of immediate relief in the form of ration and household items is required to anyone.”
“Pertinently, no loss of human life and livestock was reported due to cloud bursting,” the officials added.
Meanwhile, at least person were rescued after flash floods in Kathua district amid heavy rains, officials said.
They said the eleven people belonged nomadic community were stuck in flash floods in Ujh river in the Rajbagh area and were rescued by police and SDRF personnel. Several farm animals were, however, washed away, the officials said. The district administration in Kathua and Samba have also sounded a flood alert. (GNS)