Owais Gul
Srinagar, Jul 7: A major relief from the ongoing heatwave was observed in Jammu and Kashmir on Monday as several regions across the Union Territory, including the summer capital Srinagar, experienced heavy rainfall in the late afternoon. Meteorologists predict more rain and thunderstorms over the next 24 hours across the region.
The hot and humid weather conditions continued till afternoon hours, following which a heavy downpour was experienced in Srinagar areas and other parts of northern Kashmir, bringing the mercury down by above 10 degrees abruptly.
The maximum temperature plummeted from 34.3 degrees at 3:30 PM to 20 degrees by 7:37 PM.
The heavy rainfall lashed Srinagar after strong gusty winds, leading to the uprooting of trees at multiple places, including at Khanyar and near Batwara locality.
The road stretch between Batwara and Pandrethan was blocked after strong winds uprooted a tree and crashed onto an e-rickshaw bearing registration number JK01AV-1587.
Furthermore, reports reaching here said that a Chinar tree also fell in Khanyar amidst the heavy rainfall today.
As the torrential downpour continued for a couple of hours, the roads, streets and residential localities got submerged in many Srinagar areas, causing immense hardships to the people.
The muddy water has also entered the shops at the Khanqah-e-Moula area today.
According to the forecast, the southern parts of Kashmir are also expected to receive rain till midnight.
Earlier in the day, an Independent Weather Forecaster, Faizan Arif Keng, said that cloud clusters have developed over several parts of Jammu and Kashmir during the past two hours. “There is a possibility of thunderstorms in many parts of Jammu and Kashmir during the next six hours. Brief heavy showers are also possible. Flash floods can’t be ruled out in a few spots,” he had said.
Last Saturday, Srinagar recorded the hottest July temperature at 37.4 degrees, which was the highest maximum temperature in the last 72 years. Some other stations across the Valley also surpassed the previous records.
Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said that till July 8, the weather would be generally cloudy, with the possibility of intermittent light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places, while a few places may receive intense showers with heavy rain at isolated spots in Jammu division.
The MeT has also issued an advisory, stating that flash floods at a few vulnerable places, along with landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones, are expected during July 6-8.
A rise in water levels in rivers, streams, local nallas, and waterlogging in some low-lying areas is also expected, the advisory added. (KNO)
