Srinagar, July 9: Western disturbance has hit Kashmir, bringing down the temperature to below normal levels.
Srinagar recorded 22.7°C temperature on Wednesday, which is 8.0°C below normal (BN). Qazigund recorded 23.1°C, which is 5.5°C BN. Likewise, Pahalgam recorded 20.5°C (5.7°C BN); Kupwara, 23.8°C (7.3°C BN); Kokernag, 23.9°C (4.1°C BN), and Gulmarg, 15.6°C (6.2°C BN).
It is after a long bout of heatwave that Kashmir is witnessing a below-normal temperature. On July 5, Kashmir recorded its highest day temperature in over seven decades, with Pahalgam touching an unprecedented 31.1°C, the hottest day in the hill station’s history. Srinagar, too, recorded 37.4°C, its third-highest temperature ever, trailing only the 1953 and 1946 records.
Kashmir Weather, a local forecaster, said a spell of cooler weather, along with rain, is expected over the next 48 hours across many parts of J&K, thanks to a Western Disturbance + active monsoon winds. There is a possibility of intense showers and cloudbursts in a few spots during this time. Temperatures are expected to remain below normal. Gusty winds and hailstorms can’t be ruled out.
Authorities have warned that gusty winds and hailstorms may also accompany the wet spell, especially in higher reaches and vulnerable zones.
According to the local meteorological department, day temperatures are expected to remain below seasonal averages, bringing temporary relief from the recent heat but also increasing the chances of waterlogging and crop damage in some areas.
“There is a strong possibility of intense showers at a few places. Cloudburst-like conditions can’t be ruled out, particularly in mountainous regions,” a senior official from the weather office told Kashmir News Trust.
The forecast has prompted advisory messages urging people, especially those living in low-lying and flood-prone zones, to remain vigilant. Pilgrims, trekkers, and those involved in outdoor activities have been advised to stay updated with weather bulletins and avoid unnecessary travel during peak rainfall hours.
Farmers, too, have been cautioned to safeguard their crops and take preventive measures, as gusty winds and hailstorms may cause localized damage.