J&K parts receive rains; temperatures remain below normal

Srinagar, Jun 20: Several parts of Jammu and Kashmir were hit by rain, thunderstorms, hailstorms and gusty winds on Saturday, while day temperatures remained below normal across most stations in the Valley.
According to the Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, rain and thundershower activity affected many areas of the Kashmir division and parts of the Jammu division, including Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi, and Udhampur.
The Sonamarg-Baltal-Holy Cave axis and the Pahalgam-Holy Cave axis also witnessed brief intense showers accompanied by thunderstorms, hailstorms and gusty winds.
Weather data showed that Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 27.2 degrees Celsius, two notches below normal, while Qazigund settled at 24.8 degrees Celsius, Kupwara at 24.7 degrees Celsius and Pahalgam at 21.5 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg recorded 16.6 degrees Celsius. Jammu city registered 37.6 degrees Celsius, which was normal for this time of the year.
During the past 24 hours, Pahalgam received the highest rainfall of 16.2 mm, followed by Kukernag at 13.1 mm, Katra at 9.7 mm and Qazigund at 6.4 mm. Srinagar recorded 1 mm of rainfall.
The MeT department said generally cloudy weather with one or two spells of light rain, intense showers, thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorms and gusty winds is likely at many places till June 22. From June 23 to 26, the weather is expected to remain partly to generally cloudy with scattered rain and thunder activity at a few places.
The department advised people to stay indoors during thunderstorms and lightning, avoid electric poles, wires, loose structures and old trees, and suspend boating and shikara operations during adverse weather conditions.
It also warned that isolated hailstorms are likely over parts of north and south Kashmir during the next few days, while brief intense showers may trigger flash floods and mudslides at vulnerable locations, particularly in parts of Kashmir, Banihal, Ramban and Kishtwar. (KNO)