SRINAGAR : Ahead of fresh Western Disturbance (WD) scheduled to hit on June 10 in the region, there was major improvement in the weather conditions as people woke up to bright sunshine after above normal minimum temperature in the Kashmir valley during the past 24 hours.
A Met department spokesman said there could be isolated rain or thundershowers in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 48 hours.
However, a fresh WD is likely to hit the region on June 10 which will remain active till June 11, he said, adding the weather will turn dry from June 12. After wet and cloudy weather during the past about a week, people of the Kashmir valley, particularly farmers, had a sigh of relief after bright sunshine.
However, rain, hailstorm and strong winds caused damage to fruit and vegetable crops in the valley, where cherry, strawberry and vegetables crops were delayed due to icy cold winds. Met spokesman said the summer capital, Srinagar, recorded 14.7 degree minimum temperature which was about two notches above normal though there was 2.8 mm rainfall. Massive construction work is going on as people are reconstructing or renovating their houses, damaged in devastating floods in September last year.
Pahalgam, the world famous health resort, which is gearing up to play host to annual Amarnath pilgrimage, commencing from July 2, received highest 11.2 mm rainfall during the night. However, the minimum temperature witnessed increase and settled at 8.4 degree, more than a degree above normal.
The water level in river Lidder and other water bodies has also witnessed increase. Gulmarg, the world famous ski resort, a major tourist attraction in north Kashmir, recorded 9.3 degree minimum temperature, slightly above normal, he said, adding the ski slopes recorded 1 mm rainfall during the night. Qazigund, gateway of Kashmir recorded 13 degree minimum temperature, which is one degree above normal while at Kokernag, a tourist resort and Kupwara witnessed normal temperature.
There was, however, further increase in the mercury at Leh while it slightly dropped at border town of Kargil in Ladakh region. He said against 6.8 degree minimum temperature at Leh recorded yesterday it was 8.4 degree while at Kargil against yesterday’s 7.2 degree it was 6.8 degree. (AGENCIES)
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