Srinagar: The weather department here on Friday issued an advisory for widespread moderate to heavy rains with thundershowers and lightning till July 9.
“Under the influence of monsoon winds and western disturbance, widespread moderate to heavy rain with thundershower/lightning is expected in Jammu & Kashmir during 7-9th July with main activity on July 8-9th,” Director MeT Sonam Lotus said in an advisory to Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, as reported by GNS.
“Some places in Jammu division are very likely to receive heavy to very heavy rain whereas heavy rain is also likely at some places of Kashmir division during the period, which will decrease thereafter gradually,” the advisory read.
Regarding probable impacts, he said, the weather system was likely to affect the ongoing Amarnath Yatra and that there could be a sharp rise in water levels of rivers, and local streams leading to flash floods, water-logging; may cause landslides, shooting stones, and mudslides at vulnerable places and may lead to disruption of surface transportation mainly on Jammu-Srinagar highway, Zojila Pass, and other major hilly roads.
The advisory also cautioned that there could be a sharp dip in day temperature.
Earlier in the day, the weather department had forecast rains and thunderstorms but ruled out the possibility of major rainfall.
Regarding the minimum temperature today, he said, Srinagar recorded a low of 16.8°C against 17.8°C on the previous night and it was 0.9°C below normal for the summer capital.
Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 15.6°C against 16.0°C on the previous night and it was 0.5°C below normal for the gateway town of the Kashmir Valley.
Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 10.1°C against 12.8°C on the previous night and it was below normal by 1.7°C for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.
Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 15.3°C against 15.6°C on the previous night and it was below normal by 0.8°C for the north Kashmir area.
Kokernag recorded a low of 14.7°C against 15.6°C on the previous night and it was 1.0°C below normal for the place, the officials said.
Gulmarg recorded a low of 10.2°C against 10.8°C on the previous night and it was 1.6°C below normal for the world-famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.
Jammu recorded a low of 24.3°C against 24.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.4°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.
Banihal recorded a low of 17.9°C (0.8°C above normal), Batote 18.5°C (0.8°C above normal), Katra 21.5°C(below normal by 0.6°C), and Bhaderwah 15.8°C (0.7°C below normal), the official said.
Ladakh’s Leh and Kargil, he said, recorded a low of 7.8°C and 13.4°C respectively, he added.
