Light rains bring respite from heat
Gusty winds damages rooftops, orchards, vehicles
Srinagar: Various areas across Kashmir on Friday evening heave a sigh of relief from the scorching heat after they received light rainfall while the day temperature continued to remain above normal for the fourth straight day here.
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir recorded a maximum temperature of 34 degrees Celsius today.
The winter capital of the Union Territory, as per the officials from Meteorological department received fresh rainfall last night, which brought some relief for the locals from the scorching heat, saying that the maximum temperature in Jammu has settled at 37.3 degrees Celsius.
In Kashmir division, Kupwara was once again hottest in the region where the temperature settled at 34.5 degrees Celsius.
In Anantnag, the day temperature settled at 32.2 degree Celsius while in Shopian, Kulgam and Pulwama, it recorded 28.7, 30.4 and 33.2 degrees Celsius respectively. In Bandipora, another northern district, it recorded 32.7 degrees Celsius today. Budgam in central Kashmir recorded 33.9 degree Celsius temperature today.
In Jammu region, Kathua, Kishtwar, Ramban, Poonch, Samba and Udhampur recorded 35.7, 35.2, 36.7, 31.4, 37.0 and 36.4 degrees Celsius respectively.
Meanwhile, Deputy Director MeT, Mukhtar Ahmad said that they are expecting light rains/thunderstorms in the next four-five days across Kashmir.
“There has been relief from the scorching heat in Jammu after rainfall last evening while the heat wave would end in Kashmir also from tomorrow as we are forecasting light rains from Friday evening,” he said.
Meanwhile, strong winds accompanied the slight drizzle that was witnessed in many areas across Kashmir.
Reports said that the windstorm wreaked havoc in some areas of Srinagar and elsewhere in Kashmir.
In Natipora main chowk, a rooftop of a complex was damaged in the strong winds, witnesses said, adding that in Shopian, Pulwama and Kulgam in South Kashmir, some houses and buildings also suffered damage as the rooftops were blown away by the strong winds.
In the northern district, Baramulla-Srinagar highway remained briefly shut after a tree fell down on the main road in Pattan area due to strong winds, sources said.
In Baramulla district, the hailstorm damaged crops in Rafiabad, Sopore and Zaingeer Belt including Duroo, Botingoo, Dangerpora, Warpora and Watlab, causing damage to the crops, houses and vehicles.
Meanwhile, the Mughal road, connecting Poonch and Shopian districts, was closed due to landslide and uprooting of trees across the road stretch at few places en route, officials said.
They said due to heavy rains and gusty winds, the thoroughfare was closed as there was a landslide and trees were uprooted and fell down across the road at Chattapani area.
District Traffic Incharge Mughal Road Mohammad Qasim confirmed that Mughal road has been closed for traffic.
Earlier, the authorities said subject to fair weather and better road condition, only load carriers including fresh perishable, fruits, vegetables and empty truck and tankers shall be allowed from Herpora (Shopian) at 0900 hours upto 1400 hours towards Poonch.
“No vehicle shall be allowed after cut of timings. Moreover, no passenger vehicle or pedestrian shall be allowed on Mughal Road,” the officials had said. (with inputs from KNO, GNS)
KV News
