Monsoon reaches J&K, mercury dips to below normal

Nishikant Khajuria

A roadside vendor taking cover of a sheet to protect himself from showers on Wednesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh
A roadside vendor taking cover of a sheet to protect himself from showers on Wednesday. -Excelsior/Rakesh

JAMMU, July 2: Interaction of Monsoon current and Western Disturbances resulted into light to moderate rains in Jammu and Kashmir on Wednesday bringing much respite to people as mercury dipped to below normal temperature today.
According to Prof B C Sharma, Head of Agrometrolgy Department in SKUAST-Jammu,   the monsoon current touched foothills of Himalayas in Jammu Kashmir today after entering some parts of Punjab and Haryana.
The interaction of monsoon current with Western Disturbances resulted into thunderstorms and light to medium rainfall at various places in Jammu region. SKUAST observatory at Chatha campus recorded 10.6 mm rainfall today though the capital city witnessed light showers and heavy rains lashed other areas of Jammu province.
Since June 29 was expected date for arrival of monsoon in Jammu Kashmir, we can term the onset timely, Prof Sharma said predicting that weather in next two days will remain cloudy with thunderstorm and light to moderate rains at various places in Jammu region.
Cloudy weather with scattered rainfall from 8-10 mm is expected in next two days, which are likely to be followed by a brief dry spell of two- three days notwithstanding onset of monsoon, he explained.
The cloudy weather conditions and thunderstorms in Jammu on Wednesday dipped mercury six degrees below the normal temperature thus brining much respite to people here .  Today, the Maximum temperature was recorded at 30.8 degree Celsius while the minimum temperature was 26.5 degree Celsius.
In Udhampur, the maximum temperature on Wednesday was 30.4 degree Celsius while Ramban registered maximum temperature 32.8 degree Celsius.