Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, July 5: While Jammu remained in the grip of hot and humid weather conditions with its temperature going 4 degree Celsius above normal, Srinagar city witnessed the hottest day of this summer with mercury touching 34 degree Celsius.
The long unscheduled power cuts in the scorching heat for the last two days irked Jammu residents and those residing in parts of Samba and Kathua belt. The low voltage problem has also hit the normal water supply not only in Jammu city but in many parts of rural areas of these three districts.
While most of the people in the city preferred to stay indoors, many others in view of hot and humid weather conditions, rushed to hill stations being the weekend and ongoing summer vacations. The maximum temperature, which dipped last week due to heavy rains, have once again started soaring and touched almost 40 degree Celsius (39.8 deg C) besides rise in humidity which has reached up to 85-88 % (SKUAST-Jammu).
Dr Meenakshi Gupta, Chief Scientist and Incharge Agromatrology Department of SKUAST-Jammu said that Jammu’s temperature remained 37.8 deg C as recorded by Chatha observatory. It is nearly 3 degree above normal while minimum temperature in Jammu was 29.4 degree C which is again nearly 5 degree above normal. She disclosed that due to highest humidity of 85 to 88 %, the people of Jammu suffered the worst heat. Moreover, frequent power cuts have added to their woes.
Replying to a question, Dr Meenakshi said that the Monsoon have already entered the State and people will get relief from scorching heat and humid conditions as rains and thunder-storm is expected mid night tonight in the region. She said again heavy rain has been predicted on July 7 and 8. She said when relative humidity goes above 80 %, the rain is certain to occur.
Meanwhile, the historic Ranbir Canal, flowing with icy water of river Chenab and adjoining Rajinder Park at its bank today witnessed heavy rush of locals in view of power cuts. The young, old and kids enjoyed bathing in the canal water to beat the heat. Jhajjar Kotli, Patnitop, Sanasar, Bhaderwah and other hilly places of the region saw a rush of tourists.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine also witnessed rush not only of pilgrims from outside the State but also devotees from the State. People at certain places also staged protests against erratic power and water supply. Air conditioners and the coolers could not work due to low voltage/ power shortage forcing people to move out of their houses and protest.
Reports from Srinagar said that Kashmir valley witnessed hottest night and day temperatures of the summer so far.
A Met Department spokesman said that Srinagar recorded hottest day of the season when the mercury increased further and settled at 34 degree Celsius, four notches above normal. Yesterday, it was 32.7 degree C, three notches above normal. He said intervening night of July 4 and July 5 was the hottest of the season when the mercury witnessed five degree above normal minimum temperature. The minimum temperature in Srinagar was 22 deg C which is also about four degree above normal.
The sky would be partly cloudy and become generally cloudy later in the day in the city and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 31 degrees and 16 degrees respectively during the next 24 hours. The world famous tourist resort of Pahalgam, also recorded five degree increase in the minimum temperature.
The spokesman further disclosed that Leh recorded 10.2 degrees C while it was 10.8 degrees at Kargil. He said the sky would be partly cloudy and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 24 degree and 13 degree C, respectively.
Follow our WhatsApp channel