MeT forecasts more rains in J&K from May 2, most places record below normal temp

Srinagar: Weather department here on Monday forecasts more rain and thunderstorms at many places of Jammu and Kashmir. 

While “gradual improvement” has been predicted from this afternoon onwards, the meteorological department here forecast widespread light to moderate rain (snow over upper reaches) and thunderstorm with hailstorm and gusty winds at a few places on May 2-3.

From May 4-7, a MeT official here told GNS that there was the possibility of “a brief spell of rain/thunderstorm at scattered places towards evening.” Overall, he said, the weather is likely to be erratic. 

Regarding rainfall during the last 24 hours till 0830 hours today, he said, Srinagar received 0.4mm, Gulmarg 0.4mm, Jammu 4.3mm, Batote 0.4mm, Katra 19.4mm and Bhaderwah 4.6mm.

Regarding temperature, he said, Srinagar recorded a low of 11.3°C against 10.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.6°C above normal for the summer capital.

Qazigund, he said, recorded a low of 7.8°C the same as on the previous night and it was below normal by 0.7°C for the gateway town of Kashmir.

Pahalgam, he said, recorded a low of 4.7°C against 2.2°C on the previous night and it was 0.2°C below normal for the famous tourist resort in south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

Kokernag recorded a low of 7.7°C against 8.8°C on the previous night and it was 0.7°C below normal for the place, the officials said.

Gulmarg recorded a low of 4.0°C against 1.0°C on the previous night and it was 0.3°C below normal for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, he said.

In Kupwara town, he said, the mercury settled at 8.7°C against 8.8°C on the previous night and it was 0.3°C above normal for the north Kashmir area.

Jammu recorded a low of 18.7°C against 19.6°C on the previous night. It was 3.9°C below normal for J&K’s winter capital, he said.

Banihal, he said, recorded a low of 10.3°C (0.2°C above normal), Batote 13.1°C (0.6°C above normal), Katra 16.1°C (3.1°C below normal) and Bhadarwah 10.8°C (1.6°C above normal). Ladakh’s Leh recorded a low of 2.2°C, the official added. (GNS)