Srinagar, Sep 25: Prolonged dry spell in valley ended on Monday as rainfall was witnessed in plains while few upper reaches received fresh snowfall.
The Meteorological Department has predicted light to moderate rainfall in the coming days.
Director MeT, Sonam Lotus told Rising Kashmir that light to moderate rainfall lashed parts of Kashmir bringing much awaited respite from the prevalent heatwave in Valley. Parts of Jammu also witnessed light rainfall, he said.
“People got relief from hot temperatures which were due to a prolonged dry spell in August and September. The valley had witnessed less rain that resulted in low water levels in water bodies due to which people faced a shortage of water,” he said .
Lotus said plains experienced light to moderate rainfall till Monday morning while upper reaches of Gulmarg, Karna, Keran, Machil, Gurez, Sadna Top witnessed seasons first snowfall. With the there was decrease in the day temperatures in the Himalayan region,” Lotus said.
Director MeT further said on Tuesday, there is possibility of rain at isolated places, while dry weather will remain mostly dry till 30th September.
As per MeT data, Srinagar received 18.8 mm, Qazigund 5.3mm, Pahalgam 17.9mm, Kupwara 4.0 mm, Kokernag 3.08 mm, Gulmarg 20.6 mm, Banihal 3.2 mm, Katra 48mm, Bhaderwah 1.8mm and Batote 19.3mm during the past 24 hours.
Due to incessant overnight rainfall, many parts of Srinagar city witnessed water logging.
Following the inclement weather, a massive dip was witnessed in temperatures in the valley.
Srinagar recorded 20.7°C as maximum temperature and 10.8°C as minimum temperature. Ski resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir was the coldest place in region with a high of 14 degrees Celsius and 0.7°C as minimum temperature.
Health resort Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded 14.3 C as maximum temperature and 9.0°C as minimum temperature respectively. Jammu recorded 31.3°C as maximum temperature and 19.2 C as minimum temperatures.
This year, the region witnessed unusually high summer temperatures, resulting in a heatwave that residents were unaccustomed to.
On September 12, Srinagar city, recorded a temperature of 34.2 degrees Celsius, which was just shy of the all-time highest recorded temperature of 35 degrees Celsius in 1934.
The recent rainfall is a much-needed respite for both the agriculture sector and the people of Kashmir, who were eagerly awaiting relief from the prolonged dry conditions.
With the occurrence of rainfall, the water level has increased in river Jhelum and other water bodies in the region. Jhelum was flowing on a normal mark on Monday.
The traffic movement on Srinagar-Jammu highway remained normal on Monday and vehicles were allowed from both sides to move to respective destinations.
A traffic police spokesman said that subject to fair weather and better road conditions on Tuesday, 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.
The 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. upto 1800 hrs. No vehicle shall be allowed after cut off timings, it said.
