Heatwave tightens grip in Kashmir, temp settles at 34.5 degrees
Jhelum water levels dip sharply due to dry spell
Srinagar: The intense heatwave once again tightened its grip in Kashmir with the weatherman here predicting intermittent rain and thundershower at scattered places for the next five days.
The maximum temperature in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, settled at 34.5 degrees.
The other stations across Kashmir except Gulmarg recorded above 30 degrees temperature today.
As per the details, Qazigund, the gateway of Kashmir, recorded 33.6 degrees while Pahalgam recorded 30.2 degrees. Kupwara and Kokernag also recorded 34.2 degrees and 33.6 degrees respectively.
Gulmarg, the famous ski-resort, has recorded a maximum temperature of 25.0 degrees.
In Jammu division, the mercury however settled below normal with Jammu City recording a maximum temperature of 32.3 degrees, which is 4.7 degrees below normal.
Banihal recorded a day temperature of 29.8 degrees while Batote recorded 28.3 degrees. Katra and Bhaderwah recorded 30.2 degrees and 32.1 degrees respectively.
Meanwhile, Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that there is possibility of intermittent rain and thundershower at scattered places for the next five days till July 05.
He added that from July 06 to July 08, there is a possibility of intermittent rain and thundershower at many places.
Amidst the persistent heat wave conditions, there is no forecast of any major weather activity across Jammu and Kashmir, indicating the continuous heat wave conditions across the region for the next one week.
Meanwhile, as the prolonged dry spell continues to grip the Kashmir Valley, the Jhelum river and its tributaries have seen a noteworthy drop in water levels, raising concerns over irrigation and drinking water availability across the region.
According to data from the Irrigation and Flood Control Department on Monday morning, the water level at Sangam stood at just 0.57 ft, far below the flood alert mark of 21 ft. Other gauges also reported low readings: Munshi Bagh (2.47 ft), Asham (2.57 ft), and Pampore (-1.29 m).
Wullar Lake was recorded at 1574.97 metres, significantly below its average level of 1578.00 metres, according to the data.
It says tributaries are also showing signs of stress, with Rambiyara Nallah at Wachi dipping to -0.43 m, Lidder Nallah at Batkoot at 0.30 m, and Sindh Nallah at Doderhama measuring 1.05 m.
Meanwhile, independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif Keng said that while the situation is not yet alarming, it could worsen if dry conditions persist through July.
“We have seen worse in past years, but if this dry spell continues, we may see shortages, especially in remote and agricultural areas. July is a long month, and we can only hope the monsoon arrives on time,” he said.
The MeT said that from July 01 to 05, there is a possibility of intermittent rain/thundershowers at scattered places, and from July 06 to 08, also a possibility of intermittent rain/thundershowers at many places.
People in many areas have started experiencing problems, saying the irrigation channel in their village is drying up. “Farmers are worried about their crops,” said Ghulam Nabi, a resident of Pulwama.
Ishfaq, a local from Bemina, Srinagar, said they are getting very little water these days. “How long will we survive on tanker supply? The situation is getting worse,” he said.
As already reported, Chief Engineer Jal Shakti Kashmir, Er Taj Mohammad Chowdhary, said the department is actively monitoring the situation and water tankers have been deployed in various urban areas. (KNO)
