MeT predicts rain on Tuesday, Wednesday
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 10: As the heat wave continued to create havoc across Jammu region for the last three days, the winter capital city today recorded season’s hottest day with temperature reaching close to 45 degrees Celsius.
The Met Department has forecast rain and lightning, accompanied by gusty winds reaching up to a speed of nearly 40-50 kilometres per hour on Tuesday and Wednesday, providing some relief to the people across the region for the next couple of days.
The prevailing heatwave conditions intensified power and water woes in Jammu and some other parts of ther region. The peole are reeling under intense water scarcity as well. The low voltage, power fluctuation and intermittent power cuts have made life of people miserable.
According to SKUAST-Jammu observatory at Chatha, Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 44.8 degrees Celsius today, which was 5.6 degrees Celsius above normal, while the minimum settled at 27.6 degrees Celsius, 2.3 notches above normal.
Dr Mahender Singh, senior Scientist, Agrometerology Department, SKUAST Jammu said that Jammu recorded seasons’s hottest day today. He added that their observatory recorded a maximum temperature of 44.8 degrees Celsius today. But tomorrow evening, the people of Jammu will have some sigh of relief with rain and thunder-shower at some places. In hilly areas of Jammu, the rain will be heavy as compared to plains. There may be rain again on Wednesday and therre will be gradual fall in temperature.
Dr Singh said that with this rain the farmers in hilly areas can go for sowing maize crop and paddy crop germination in other areas. The farmers must protect their young fruit trees, and vegetables besides floriculture crop these days and irrigate their fields with maximum water. The people must avoid going out between 12 noon and 4 pm in view of the fear of heat stroke and increasing level of dangerous ultra-violet rays, Dr Singh said.
With Sun blazing in Jammu city today, the people preferred to stay indoors, However, the famous hill stations, like Patnitop, Sanasar, Mantalai and Bhaderwah witnessed heavy rush of visitors while people are also visiting the neighbouring state, Himachal Pradesh, during the vacations.
Shri Mata Vaishno Devi cave shrine also witnessing heavy rush of pilgrims from across the country in view of summer holidays.
Meanwhile, the Government reviewed the functioning of the Power Development Department in Jammu division and called for improving the overall power scenario. The Governor’s Advisor reviewed the present position of power supply and pace of work on various ongoing projects and stressed on augmentation of power infrastructure and strengthening of the system so as to provide uninterrupted power supply in the province. He also took stock of drinking water scenario in Jammu division. The Advisor called for taking necessary corrective measures to augment the supply, especially in the Jammu city and its periphery.