SRINAGAR, July 15: Kashmir is set to witness the hottest spell of the season over the next three days, with Srinagar likely to record a maximum temperature of 36-37 degrees Celsius before widespread rainfall returns from the night of July 18, officials said on Wednesday.
An official of the India Meteorological Department (IMD) told the Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the prevailing hot and dry conditions are expected to continue until July 18, after which a wet spell is likely to set in.
According to the Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, the summer capital 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 a maximum of 34.7°C, 0.7°C above normal.
The weather office said conditions are 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.
An independent weather forecaster, Kashmir Weather Forecast, said daytime temperatures across the Valley’s plains could remain 5-8°C above normal until July 18, increasing heat stress. It said Srinagar could record its highest temperature of the season at 36-37°C, with similar conditions expected in 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 persist.
The MeT Department has forecast partly cloudy skies with light to moderate rain or thundershowers at many places on July 18 and 19, with brief intense showers possible at isolated places in the Jammu division during the intervening night of July 18 and the morning of July 19.
From July 20 to 23, the weather is expected to remain generally cloudy with light to moderate rain or thundershowers at most places. Peak rainfall activity is likely on July 21 and 22, with heavy rain or brief intense showers expected at a few places in both the Kashmir and Jammu divisions.
The weather office has warned of the possibility of flash floods, landslides, mudslides in vulnerable areas of the Chenab Valley, Pir Panjal range and some hilly areas of Kashmir, besides waterlogging in low-lying areas between July 20 and 22. Authorities have advised people, particularly those living in vulnerable areas, to remain alert and follow official weather advisories. (KNO)
