MeT predicts dry weather in J&K till Sep 29

Srinagar, Sep 23: The Meteorological Department (MeT) on Saturday predicted a prolonged period of hot and dry weather conditions for the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir during the next week.
Director MeT Srinagar Centre, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that Sunday onwards, they were expecting mainly dry and clear weather till September 29. A brief spell of rain and thunderstorms at isolated places can’t be ruled out during the same period, he said.
Lotus said on Saturday, light rain occurred in parts of Jammu city, bringing relief from the hot and humid weather conditions in the region.
In Srinagar, the weather is mainly partly cloudy with possibility of light rain on 23rd to 25th . Day and night temperatures will be around 28 to 300C and 13 to 150C respectively. Wind speed will be around 1km/hr in the North Easterly direction. Relative humidity will range from 40% to 70%.,” he said.
Lotus said overall, there is no forecast of any major rain, snowfall for the next one week. A brief spell of light rain (snow over higher reaches) at isolated places cannot be ruled out on certain days, in Jammu region, although chances are less, he said.
Director MeT said the upcoming weather pattern indicates that the region will experience predominantly dry weather with above-average temperatures for the next seven days.
He further said these weather conditions would be highly conducive for harvesting activities and various outdoor pursuits. Local residents and farmers can expect a period of clear skies and sunny days during this period, Lotus said.
He stated that July recorded excess rainfall. August & September received deficit rainfall in J&K and Ladakh and it will continue for at least during next week.
Over the past several weeks, Kashmir is witnessing a significant rise in day temperatures. Srinagar recorded 29.1°C as maximum temperature and 15.7°C as minimum temperature.
Ski resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir was the coldest with a high of 20.6 degrees Celsius and 10.5 as minimum temperature.
Health resort Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded 25.3 C as maximum temperature and 11.0°C as minimum temperature respectively. Jammu recorded 35.2°C as maximum temperature and 27.1 as minimum temperatures.
Banihal recorded 31.3°C as maximum temperature and 17.7 as minimum temperatures.
The traffic movement on Srinagar-Jammu highway was disrupted due to a landslide at Shalgri, Banihal. Men and machinery on the job. People are advised to cooperate with Traffic Police, he said.
“Traffic movement stopped from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar Srinagar NHW due to landslide at Shalgri, Banihal. Men and machinery on the job. People are advised to cooperate with Traffic Police,” traffic police said.
A traffic police spokesman said that subject to fair weather and better road conditions on Sunday LMVs Passenger/Private Cars/HMVs/Load Carriers shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW (NH-44) viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. Commuters are advised to follow lane discipline, he said.
On Sonamarg-Leh road, vehicular movement shall be allowed from both sides viz Srinagar towards Kargil and vice-versa. LMVs followed by HMVs shall be allowed from Minamarg towards Srinagar at 0730 hrs. to 1100 hrs. Similarly, LMVs followed by HMVs shall be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil at 1300 hrs to 1700 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timings, the spokesman said.
“ SFs Convoy, plying from Srinagar to Kargil, shall leave Srinagar at 0800 hrs. SFs Convoy plying from Drass to Srinagar shall plan their movement in such a manner so that Civil Traffic doesn’t get disturbed,” spokesman said.
On Mughal Road, vehicular movement on Mughal Road shall be allowed from both sides viz. Poonch towards Shopian and vice versa. These vehicles shall be allowed from Behramgalla (Buffliaz) and Herpora (Shopian) at 0600 hrs. up to 1800 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timings, it said.