Srinagar, Jul 15 (KNO): A prolonged spell of hot, dry weather is expected to grip Kashmir over the next three days, with Srinagar likely to record the season's highest temperature of 36-37 degrees Celsius.
An official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer that the heat wave will be followed by widespread rainfall from the night of July 18.
The Meteorological Centre, Srinagar stated that J&K's summer capital Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 32.0°C on Wednesday, 1.9°C above normal, while the minimum settled at 19.0°C, 0.3°C above normal. Jammu recorded 34.7°C, 0.7°C above normal.
It said weather is likely to remain generally hot and humid with the possibility of brief spells of rain or thundershowers at a few places between July 15 and 17.
Independent weather forecaster Kashmir Weather Forecast said a prolonged spell of dry, hot and stable weather is expected to persist across the Valley until July 18, with daytime temperatures across the plains likely to remain 5-8°C above the seasonal average, significantly increasing heat stress.
It said Srinagar could witness its highest temperature of the season, with the mercury likely to rise to 36-37°C, while similar conditions are expected across other plain areas of Kashmir.
For the Jammu region, the forecaster said no significant rise in daytime temperatures is expected as monsoon-like conditions are likely to continue.
The MeT department has forecast partly cloudy skies with light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many places on July 18 and 19, with the possibility of brief intense heavy showers at isolated places in the Jammu division during the late night of July 18 and the morning of July 19.
Between July 20 and 23, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy with light to moderate rain or thundershowers at most places, with peak rainfall activity on July 21 and 22. Heavy rain or brief intense showers are also likely at a few districts in both the Kashmir and Jammu divisions.
The weather office has advised that heavy rainfall, flash floods, landslides, mudslides in vulnerable areas of the Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal Range and some hilly areas of Kashmir, along with waterlogging in low-lying areas, are possible between July 20 and 22.
Authorities have advised people, especially those living in vulnerable areas, to remain alert and follow official weather advisories—(KNO)