Wet spell to continue today: MeT
Gusty winds hit Jammu areas
Srinagar-Jammu highway remains closed for 7 hours
Srinagar/JAMMU, June 06: A moderate spell of rainfall on Wednesday brought temperatures several notches below normal in both Kashmir and Jammu regions, offering respite from the prevailing heat wave.
In Kashmir, where temperatures had soared in recent days, the Meteorological Department (MeT) had forecasted more rain over the next 24 hours. Srinagarrecorded a temperature of 22.3 degrees Celsius, significantly below the usual mark for this time of year. The city received 2.7 mm of rainfall over the past 24 hours.
Other areas such as Qazigund, Pahalgam, Banihal, and Gulmargalso experienced varying degrees of rainfall, alleviating the intense heat.
In Jammu, residents also welcomed the rain after enduring scorching temperatures for days. Rain and windstorms swept through the region, offering relief from the sweltering heat.
Jammu recorded a day temperature of 41.9 degree Celsius, but during late evening mercury experienced a significant fall in temperature. The minimum temperature in Jammu was recorded as 39.7 degrees Celsius which was 2.2 degrees above normal. Katra recorded a maximum temperature of 37.4 deg C, Bhaderwah town 24.4 degrees, Batote 28.9 while Banihal town recorded a day temperature of 23.5 deg C.
Reports of rainfall emerged from various areas across Poonch, Reasi, Mendhar, Katra-Reasi, Udhampur, Kathua, and parts of Samba district, further providing relief to residents.
Director of MeT, Mukhtar Ahmad, confirmed the widespread nature of the rainfall, stating that most parts of the valley witnessed light to moderate showers over the past two days. While the current weather pattern is expected to persist for the next couple of days, Ahmad assured that there’s no forecast of any major rainfall until June 8th.
However, Ahmad cautioned farmers to suspend their farm operations during June 5th-6th due to expected scattered thunder, lightning, and gusty winds.
Despite bringing relief, the rainfall caused disruptions. The Jammu-Srinagar highway remained blocked for 7 hours due to maintenance work, causing inconvenience to commuters. Passengers and motorists were advised to plan their journeys accordingly.
In Jammu, the evening showers, accompanied by hailstorms, caused a sudden drop in temperature. However, power supply disruptions were reported in some areas due to strong winds.
Most of the areas of Jammu City and its outskirts like Muthi, Sainik Colony, Nagrota, Ambphalla, Bari Brahamna, Panjtirthi, Satwari, Muthi Gandhi Nagar, Shastri Nagar, Gangyal, Digiana, and many other areas were lashed by heavy rains and hailstorm which brought much needed respite to the people from heat wave.
Overall, the rainfall brought rejuvenation and relief to both Kashmir and Jammu regions, offering a brief respite from the relentless heat wave conditions. As residents embrace the cooler weather, there’s hope for continued relief in the days ahead.
A traffic official said that slow movement was observed on NH-44 due to breakdown of 03 HMVs, 05 nomadic flocks, single lane traffic at Dalwas, Mehad, Panthyal, Magerkote, Nachlana, Gangroo, Shalgarhi etc. and poor surface condition of road at many places between Nashri and NAVYUG Tunnel,”
He said passengers and LMVs operators are advised to undertake journeys on Jammu-Srinagar NHW during day time as movement of nomads towards Kashmir Valley may cause inconvenience to the commuters and apprehension of shooting stones between Ramban and Banihal.
Meanwhile, traffic police spokesman said on Thursday, subject to fair weather, good road condition and manageable Traffic environment, LMVs Passenger/Private Cars shall be allowed from both sides on Jammu-Srinagar NHW viz Jammu towards Srinagar and vice-versa. However, HMVs shall be allowed from NAVYUG Tunnel (Qazigund side) towards Jammu after down LMVs tail and assessment of road condition.
On Kishtwar- Sinthan- Anantnag NH-244 Subject to fair weather and good road condition, Vehicular movement (only LMVs) on Kishtwar-Sinthan-Anantnag road shall be allowed from both sides vizAnantnag towards Kishtwar and vice versa.
These vehicles shall be allowed from Daksum and Chingam (Chatroo) between 0900 hrs to 1300 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timing.
On Srinagar Leh road, LMVs movement shall be allowed from both sides viz Srinagar towards Kargil and vice versa on Srinagar-Sonamarg-Gumari road.
“LMVs followed by SFs Convoy shall be allowed from Sonamarg between 0600 hrs 1400 hrs and LMVs from Minamarg 0600 hrs to 1400 hrs. However, HMVs shall be allowed from Sonamarg towards Kargil between 1500 hrs to 1800 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed from the opposite side during the movement of HMVs and no vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timings,” the spokesman said.
