Srinagar: The city on Tuesday recorded the hottest April day in nearly eight decades at 30.4 degrees Celsius which was 10.2 degrees above normal for this time of the season, officials said.
The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recorded the highest ever maximum temperature of 31.1 degrees Celsius on April 20, 1946, the officials of the meteorological department said.
They said the day’s temperature was 10.2 degrees above normal. The average normal day temperature for this time of the season is 20.2 degrees Celsius.
There was a significant rise in mercury on Tuesday with the weather stations in the Kashmir valley registering 8.1 to 11.2 degrees above normal temperature, the officials said.
They said Qazigund at 29.8 degrees Celsius recorded the third highest maximum temperature ever in the month of April.
The meteorological department said the weather in the valley is likely to stay generally dry till April 17.
From April 18-20, there is a possibility of light to moderate rain/snow in the higher reaches at most places with possibility of moderate to heavy rain at isolated to scattered places, it added.
Weather to remain dry till April 17, wet spell after that: MeT
Srinagar’s Meteorological Centre on Tuesday predicted moderate to heavy rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir from April 18 onwards, saying the weather is expected to remain dry over the next two days — till April 17.
According to a spokesperson of the Meteorological Centre, the weather will remain “generally dry” from April 15 to 17. From April 18 to 20, the region is likely to witness generally cloudy skies with light to moderate rain and snowfall over higher reaches.
The department added that there is a “possibility of moderate to heavy rainfall at isolated to scattered places” on April 18 and 19, accompanied by thunders and gusty winds from the evening of April 18 onwards.
As per the forecast issued today, April 21 will be generally cloudy with a possibility of light rain and thunders at scattered places.
The weather is expected to improve on April 22 and 23, remaining mostly dry. Cloudy conditions are likely to return on April 26 and 27.
In its advisory, the MeT warned that due to the wet spell during April 18-20, there is a possibility of landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones at vulnerable locations.
Farmers have been advised to continue their farm operations till April 17.
