Kashmir plains receive rains, higher reaches record light snowfall

Srinagar, Jun 13: Fresh rainfall across Kashmir plains and light snowfall in the higher reaches on Saturday turned the weather pleasant.
According to reports, temperatures in most parts of the Valley dropped significantly below normal.
Data released by the Meteorological Centre Srinagar revealed that daytime temperatures remained several degrees below normal across most parts of the Valley. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 23.8 degrees Celsius, which was 4.2 degrees below normal, while Pahalgam registered 17 degrees Celsius, nearly seven degrees below the seasonal average.
The weather department said intermittent rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds are expected to continue across Jammu and Kashmir over the next several days.
The MeT officials said that scattered areas may experience light to moderate rainfall, brief intense showers, thunderstorms and lightning till June 17. Similar conditions are likely to persist on June 18 and 19, with cloudy skies and isolated spells of rain expected at several places.
The department has also warned of hailstorms at isolated locations and strong winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph, with occasional gusts touching 60 kmph during thunderstorm activity.
The prolonged wet spell has affected normal summer conditions in the Valley, while reports of fresh snowfall from higher-altitude areas further contributed to the drop in temperatures.
Authorities advised residents, farmers and travellers to remain cautious during periods of adverse weather and to follow official advisories, particularly in areas vulnerable to lightning, landslides and localised flooding.
Meanwhile, traffic on the Jammu-Poonch highway was restored after debris of a landslide was removed from Lassana in Surankote. (KNO)