Srinagar, Jun 22 (KNO): Heavy rain accompanied by thunderstorms and hailstorm lashed several parts of Kashmir on Monday, causing waterlogging in many areas of Srinagar and bringing a noticeable drop in daytime temperatures across the Valley.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) many parts of the Valley witnessed rain and thundershowers during the afternoon, while several areas of Jammu division, including Ramban, Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Rajouri, Reasi and Udhampur districts, also received precipitation.
The weather activity was accompanied by brief intense showers, thunderstorms, hailstorm and gusty winds at several places, including along the Sonamarg-Baltal-Holy Cave and Pahalgam-Holy Cave routes, officials said.
The heavy downpour led to waterlogging in several localities of Srinagar, particularly in low-lying areas of the old city, where roads and lanes were inundated following the accumulation of rainwater. Traffic movement was affected at some places as drains struggled to cope with the sudden spell of rain.
Residents in parts of Srinagar and south Kashmir's Anantnag district also reported hailstorms, while strong winds accompanied the rainfall in several areas.
According to data released by the Meteorological Department, Srinagar recorded 2.2 mm rainfall between 8:30 am and 5:30 pm on Monday. Pahalgam received 2.8 mm rainfall, while Gulmarg recorded 4.4 mm during the same period.
The rainfall brought temperatures down across Jammu and Kashmir, with most stations recording maximum temperatures below normal.
TEMPERATURES SETTLE BELOW NORMAL
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 26.6 degrees Celsius, which was 2.6 degrees below normal, while the minimum settled at 15.4 degrees Celsius. Qazigund recorded a maximum of 25.2 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 25.3 degrees Celsius and Kupwara 26.5 degrees Celsius.
Pahalgam, one of the coldest stations in the Valley, recorded a maximum temperature of 21.6 degrees Celsius, while Gulmarg registered 17 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 35.8 degrees Celsius, 1.8 degrees below normal. Banihal recorded 24.7 degrees Celsius, Batote 25 degrees Celsius, Katra 32.2 degrees Celsius and Bhaderwah 22.5 degrees Celsius.
MET ISSUES ADVISORY
The Meteorological Department advised people to remain indoors during thunderstorms and lightning activity and stay away from electric poles, overhead wires, loose structures and old trees. Authorities also urged suspension of boating and shikara operations during periods of thunderstorms and gusty winds.
The department said brief intense showers at isolated places could trigger minor flash floods and mudslides, particularly in vulnerable areas of Kashmir and parts of Ramban, Banihal and Kishtwar districts. People have been advised to stay away from nallahs and streams during periods of heavy rainfall.
The weather department forecast generally dry weather from June 23 to June 26, although brief spells of light rain, thundershowers and gusty winds cannot be ruled out at a few places.
From June 27 to June 29, the Union Territory is expected to witness partly to generally cloudy weather with light rain, brief intense showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds at scattered places.
A fresh spell of rain and thundershowers, accompanied by brief heavy showers, thunderstorms and gusty winds at many places, is likely between June 30 and July 1, the department said.
Farmers and orchardists have been advised to undertake spraying operations during the early morning hours when weather conditions are expected to remain favourable—(KNO)