Intensity of ultra-violet radiations rises
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 31: The heat wave continued in plain areas of Jammu region, while after a day’s relief from scorching heat on Thursday, the temperature again started rising today.
Against Thursday’s temperature of 41.2 degrees Celsius, Jammu City on Friday recorded a maximum temperature of 43.7 degrees Celsius. On Wednesday, Jammu had recorded 44.8 degree C temperature which was highest in last 10 years and also highest of this season so far.
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Thundershowers in some parts of Jammu region and light rain brought down the temperature yesterday. But it has again started rising.
A MeT official said that Kathua town which remained the hottest place in Jammu and Kashmir with maximum temperature of 47.4 degrees Celsius on Wednesday has also experienced some fall in temperature during last two days. He said that mercury continued its upward trend across the Jammu region with Jammu city recording 43.7 degrees temperature, nearly 4.3 notches above normal.
He said region has been reeling under an extreme heat wave for the past one week, with temperatures consistently remaining above 40 degrees Celsius since May 16. However, a little relief to the people of the region is expected for 2-3 days.
Dr Mahender Singh, Chief Scientist, Agrometeorology Department of SKUAST-Jammu said that intensity of Ultra Violet (UV) radiations’ in the atmosphere is much higher in these days. It induces cancer cells in human body. Moreover, UV radiations are also harmful for skin of the human beings.
Singh further said that the intensity of the UV rays is much higher between 12 noon and 3 pm. With the depletion of Ozone layer in the atmosphere, the danger of UV radiations has increased. He advised the people to stay indoor during this time or cover themselves while moving in the blazing Sun.
The MeT official further said that Katra, the base camp for Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, recorded 38.9 degree C temperature against 40.3 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Leh city of the UT of Ladakh experienced maximum temperature of 14.0 deg C today against the 17.4 degrees Celsius two days ago.
Bhaderwah town in Jammu region, recorded a maximum temperature of 33.2 degrees and minimum 12 deg C; Batote town maximum 30.9 deg and Banihal had 27.6 deg C temperature today. The night temperature at Banihal was 10.6 deg C and at Batote 16.9 degrees on Friday.
It is worthwhile to mention here that during noon and afternoon hours, the roads and lanes in Jammu, remained almost abandoned these days due to scorching hot weather conditions. Majority of the people preferred to stay inside their homes or business establishments due to blazing Sun outside. The public transporters also suspended their vehicles’ operation for 2-3 hours during the day.
Meanwhile, Srinagar recorded a maximum day temperature of 28.0 degree Celsius today against yesterday’s 32.4 degrees Celsius.
MeT office Srinagar has predicted a `slight relief’ from the present heat wave for 3-4 days from Thursday onwards over Jammu and Kashmir. It said there is a possibility of slight relief from heat wave/hot & dry weather conditions on May 31 and June 1-2 over most parts of Kashmir division and few hilly areas of Jammu division.
However, there will be no respite in heat waves/hot & dry weather conditions over plains of the Jammu division during the next seven days.
The weather will turn partly to generally cloudy with light rain/thunderstorm at isolated places during May 31 to June 2 while the weather will remain generally dry from June 3 to June 5 and possibility of light rain, and thunderstorm at isolated places during June 6 and 7.
The MeT office predicted another spell of heat wave very likely over Jammu and Kashmir from June 3 onwards.
Qazigund on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway recorded a maximum temperature of 28.6 deg C against 27.5 deg C two days ago; while the tourist spot of Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded 24.6 deg today against 27.8 deg C on Tuesday.
Famous tourist resort of Gulmarg experienced the maximum temperature of 18.0 deg C against 22.4 deg C on Tuesday. The maximum temperature at the frontier Kashmir district of Kupwara was recorded as 27.4 deg C against 30.9 deg C recorded on Tuesday and the picnic spot of Kokernag experienced 28.0 deg C temperature.
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