SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is likely to witness a fresh spell of rain and thunderstorms over the next week, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting widespread precipitation and warning of flash floods, landslides and mudslides in vulnerable areas.
According to the Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, Kashmir is expected to receive fairly widespread light to moderate rainfall from August 17 to 20, followed by scattered showers on August 21 and 22. Jammu division is likely to witness widespread rainfall during August 17–20, with the intensity reducing to fairly widespread activity over the subsequent two days.
The weather office has forecast isolated thunder, lightning and gusty winds of 30–40 kmph across Kashmir during the seven-day period and warned of landslides, mudslides, shooting stones and flash floods at vulnerable locations.
Jammu division is expected to experience a more intense spell, with isolated heavy to very heavy rainfall forecast between August 16 and 20. Thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of up to 40 kmph are also likely during the period. Similar warnings for landslides, mudslides, shooting stones and flash floods remain in place.
For August 21 and 22, isolated thunder and lightning accompanied by gusty winds are expected to continue in Jammu division.
On Monday, Srinagar is likely to witness partly cloudy skies with light rain or thunderstorms. The maximum and minimum temperatures are expected to hover around 29°C and 21°C, respectively.
Jammu city is forecast to remain generally cloudy with moderate to heavy rain or thunderstorms, with temperatures around 32°C and 27°C. Muzaffarabad and Mirpur are also expected to receive light to moderate rain or thunderstorms, with maximum temperatures of around 34°C and 33°C, respectively.
During the past 24 hours ending at 8:30 am on Sunday, maximum temperatures across Kashmir remained 0–3°C above normal, while temperatures in Jammu division were generally 0–2°C above normal.
Srinagar recorded the highest daytime temperature in Kashmir at 32°C, while Kathua was the warmest place in Jammu division at 32.8°C.
Night temperatures remained around normal in most parts of Kashmir and up to 3°C above normal at several places in Jammu division. Gulmarg recorded the lowest minimum temperature in Kashmir at 11.6°C, while Bhaderwah recorded 17.4°C in Jammu.
The weather office said light to moderate rainfall was recorded at several places during the period, with Jammu receiving the highest rainfall of 4.9 mm. The station chart also recorded 41 mm rainfall in Mirpur.
The IMD has advised residents, particularly those living in vulnerable areas, to remain alert as the wet spell could trigger flash floods, landslides, mudslides and shooting stones in susceptible locations.
The forecast is valid from August 16 to August 23.
