The intermittent rains that continued throughout the day have brought the mercury down across Jammu and Kashmir, with the weatherman predicting more rains for the next week. However, the fresh spell of rain has brought the deficit rainfall to normal levels for the ongoing season.
The intermittent rains have lowered temperatures across Jammu and Kashmir, with Srinagar, the summer capital of the region, recording a maximum temperature of 21.0°C, which is 9.1°C below normal.
Qazigund, a gateway to Kashmir, recorded 20.2°C (7.8°C below normal); Pahalgam recorded 19.7°C (5.8°C below normal); Kupwara experienced a day temperature of 27.9°C (9.0°C below normal); Kokernag recorded 20.7°C (6.9°C below normal); and Gulmarg registered 15.0°C (6.2°C below normal).
Similarly, in Jammu division, the mercury has settled below normal, with Jammu city recording a maximum temperature of 30.6°C, which is 3.4°C below normal.
Banihal recorded 23.5°C (5.4°C below normal); Batote 22.0°C (4.6°C below normal); Katra 25.8°C (4.9°C below normal); and Bhaderwah 25.6°C (4.8°C below normal).
Meanwhile, the weatherman has predicted more rain over the next week, stating that amid cloudy weather conditions, there is a possibility of intermittent spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places, with intense showers at a few locations, including heavy to very heavy rain in isolated areas of J&K tomorrow.
Director of the Meteorological Department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said that light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected at scattered to fairly widespread places from July 18 to 20.
He added that from July 21 to 23, generally cloudy weather is forecast with intermittent spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers at many places, with intense showers at a few locations, including heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places in J&K.
Moreover, the MeT has issued yellow and orange alerts for the region until 22 July.
According to the MeT, a yellow alert has been issued for the Kashmir region until July 22, while in Jammu, an orange alert has been issued until July 19, followed by a yellow alert for July 20. The orange alert will again be in place on July 21 and 22 for Jammu division.
Additionally, data prepared by the MeT indicates that the region has received normal precipitation from June 1 to July 16.
The data shows that J&K recorded 157 mm of rainfall against the normal of 159.4 mm during this period.
A total of nine stations, including Srinagar, recorded normal precipitation, while Udhampur, Reasi, and Samba experienced excess rainfall during this period.
However, five stations—including Anantnag, Budgam, Doda, Ganderbal, and Kulgam—recorded deficit rainfall over the past 46 days, varying from 20 to 59 per cent.
Kishtwar and Shopian are the two stations where a significant deficiency was recorded, ranging between 60 and 99 per cent.
Rajouri, however, was the only station to record large excess rainfall during the ongoing season.
Meanwhile, the MeT has issued an advisory indicating that there is a possibility of intense showers at a few places, with heavy to very heavy rain at isolated locations in J&K during July 16-17 and July 21-23, warning of flash floods at vulnerable sites, along with landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones—(KNO)
