Rains, thunderstorms, gusty winds lash Kashmir parts

Srinagar, Jun 17: Several parts of Kashmir witnessed rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds on Wednesday, bringing down temperatures across the Valley, while the Meteorological Department warned of brief intense showers, hailstorms and flash floods at isolated places.
Officials said that a spell of rain and thundershowers affected many areas of Kashmir during the afternoon, with some places witnessing strong winds and lightning activity. Rain was also reported along the Sonamarg-Baltal-Holy Cave axis and the Pahalgam-Holy Cave route.
The weather department said brief intense showers accompanied by thunderstorms, hailstorms and gusty winds were recorded at a few locations, particularly in north Kashmir districts and parts of south Kashmir.
According to the MeT Centre Srinagar, temperatures remained below normal at most places following the wet weather conditions.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 29.4 degrees Celsius, one degree above normal, while the minimum settled at 15.6 degrees Celsius. Qazigund registered a maximum of 28.2 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 13.8 degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam recorded 24.0 degrees Celsius as the day’s maximum and 12.2 degrees Celsius as the minimum.
Kupwara recorded a maximum temperature of 27.6 degrees Celsius, and Gulmarg 19.8 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu division, Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 32.6 degrees Celsius, which was 5.5 degrees below normal for the season. Katra registered 32 degrees Celsius, while Banihal recorded 26.3 degrees Celsius.
The MeT department said generally cloudy conditions prevailed across Jammu and Kashmir during the day, with intermittent rain and thunderstorms reported from several areas.
It advised people to remain indoors during thunderstorms and stay away from electric poles, overhead wires, loose structures and old trees. Boating and Shikara operations on water bodies, including Dal Lake, were also advised to be suspended during periods of strong winds and lightning activity.
The department said there was a possibility of hailstorms at isolated places and warned that intense showers could trigger flash floods and mudslides in vulnerable areas.
Officials said the wet weather is expected to continue over the next several days, with intermittent spells of rain and thundershowers likely at many places across Jammu and Kashmir. (KNO)