Srinagar: The local meteorological department on Thursday predicted that rains starting from July 29 may perhaps alleviate the persistent heat wave-related precipitation deficit which has negatively impacted normal life across Kashmir.
Showers starting from July 29, according to Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director Meteorological Department Kashmir, are expected to provide much-needed relief and may even end the ongoing heat wave the valley has been experiencing over the past two months.
“No major relief is anticipated until July 28. However, there is a chance of rain starting from July 29 which may end the ongoing heat wave in the valley, whereas the rainfall expected in the month of August is expected to significantly lower the daytime high,” Dr Mukhtar told ‘Kashmir Images’.
Some higher reaches in north Kashmir’s Kupwara and Baramulla districts including ski-resort Gulmarg and its adjoining areas, he said, are currently experiencing rains.
Ahmad said the precipitation-deficit caused by the ongoing heat wave has led to sharp decrease in water levels in rivers and tributaries throughout the valley, stressing crops. He was, however, quick to add that the farmers can engage in transient agricultural operations between July 26 to July 28.
The Meteorological department, he said, had predicted in advance that the agriculture and horticulture sectors would be severely impacted and that rivers and tributaries, which usually ran dry in September, would now start to dry up in July.
“Precipitation has been lacking since September of last year. There have been seven dry Julys in the preceding thirty years, so this is not the first time the valley has seen a heat wave of this kind,” Ahmad added.
According to the figures of the Meteorological department, the maximum temperature recorded on Thursday in Srinagar was 34.5 degree Celsius. North Kashmir’s Kupwara recorded 35.1 degree Celsius and south Kashmir’s Qazigund 33.0 degree Celsius. Kokernag had 32.8 degree Celsius, Pahalgam recorded 31.2 degree Celsius and Gulmarg recorded 24.8 degree Celsius.
