SRINAGAR: The Meteorological Department (MeT) on Wednesday predicted light rain and drizzle with overcast sky over the next few days in Kashmir, asserting the prospects of further rise in water level in rivers and tributaries has decreased with the general improvement in weather.
Although the water level in the River Jhelum and other water bodies has significantly risen since Tuesday, the weatherman ruled out any potential flood threat in Kashmir, saying the risk of flooding is extremely low as far as the severity of rains in the valley is concerned.
“Flooding is completely out of the question because Kashmir had far less rain today than it did the day before. Light rain and drizzle will persist under a cloudy sky. Besides, the Jammu region will continue to receive light to moderate showers and drizzle. The rest of J&K has no significant prediction over the next two to three days,” Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, Director Meteorological Centre Srinagar told ‘Kashmir Images’.
Weather in Kashmir valley, he said, is expected to be dry for the next three to four hours, with the possibility of intermittent light rain afterwards.
The rainfall activity, according to Director MeT, for the past 48 hours, particularly in some parts of Jammu was record-breaking. He said Jammu received 380 mm rainfall for the past 24 hours, breakingthe previous record of 270 mm on September 25, 1988 and 218 mm on August 23, 1996.
The average monthly rainfall in the Jammu Division, according to Dr Mukhtar, for the month of August is 403.1 mm, which has caused major water bodies, such as the River Tawi, to swell quickly. In the last 48 hours, Reasi and Udhampur received 287 mm of rainfall, followed by 152 mm in Doda, Sambha, and Kathua districts.
“The weather in Jammu is expected to stay calm throughout the day, but there is a chance of moderate to heavy showers on August 30, 31, and September 1, particularly in the morning. There isn’t a significant prediction till September 5–6, especially for Kashmir,” he added.
Regarding the likelihood of precipitation in south Kashmir, where severe rainfall has flooded key roadways, Dr. Mukhtar stated that with cloudy skies, light rain and drizzle would persist throughout Kashmir for the next few days.
