Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU/ SRINAGAR, June 25: While Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) today declared arrival of Monsoon in Jammu and Kashmir, heavy rain in many parts of Jammu region and at a few places across Kashmir, brought some relief from the scorching heat as the temperature witnessed sharp fall this evening.
Director IMD, Srinagar, Sonum Lotus claimed that Monsoon arrived in Jammu and Kashmir and parts of Ladakh today and many areas experienced heavy rain this afternoon. This led to sharp fall in temperature in many parts of Jammu region. Many Nallahas and streams witnessed flash flood and disrupted movement of smooth traffic during rains.
Lotus said many parts of J&K are likely to receive moderate to heavy spells of rains during June 26-27 and light to moderate rain on June 28 and 29. He said rain may lead to localized flash floods and mudslides at vulnerable spots of Jammu region. The water level in rivers and Nallahas is also expected to rise. The active phase of Monsoon may commence from next couple of days, he added.
Another Meteorological department official predicted generally cloudy weather with intermittent light to moderate thundershowers at many places particularly during late afternoon or evening hours till June 25 to 29. He said few places in Jammu Division may receive heavy rainfall with intense showers for a brief period.
There is a possibility of moderate to severe thunder-storm or lightning with strong surface winds at few places during the above period, while light rain or thundershowers at few places will occur on June 29 and 30, he said.
The MetT official also issued advisory of significant increase in water discharges in rivers, local Nallahas, flood channels due to melting glaciers, snow and rain during June 25-28 which may generate flash flood, mudslide and landslides at places. There are chances of torrential rains at few middle places of Jammu Division on June 25 evening and June 26, he said.
The erratic weather may cause temporary disruption of Srinagar-Jammu, Srinagar-Leh National Highway and other major hilly roads.
All tourists and travellers have been advised to be conscious and updated until June 29, the MeT official said.
With heavy rain in Jammu, Samba, Udhampur, Kathua and Billawar areas, there has been sharp fall in temperature this evening. A MeT official said that about 4 to 5 degree fall in temperature has been witnessed during this evening in Jammu areas. The water level in Chenab has increased by 8 to 10 feet during last two days and a general alert has been sounded by District Magistrates of Ramban, Reasi and Jammu. The people have been advised not to venture near the river banks.
Officials said that flood gates at Dul Hasti and Baglihar Hydel Power projects on Chenab at Kishtwar and Ramban have also been opened for clearing silt and this has also led to increase in water level by 3 to 4 meters in the river.
Meanwhile, Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 36.8 degree Celsius, holy township of Katra 31.0 deg C, Batote 27.6 deg C while Bhaderwah tourist resort recorded 31.4 degree Celsius temperature today. However, a sharp fall in night temperature ranging from 3 to 5 degree has been experienced in the region.
Srinagar recorded a low of 19.8 degree Celsius against 22.4 degree Celsius the previous night and it was 2.5 degree Celsius above normal for the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar also received 1.2mm of rainfall during the past 24 hours till 0830hours today.
Qazigund on Srinagar-Jammu highway had a low of 17.8 degree Celsius against 20.0 degree Celsius a day ago and it was 2.1 degree Celsius above normal for the gateway of Kashmir.
Famous tourist spot of Pahalgam in south Kashmir settled at 13.1 degree Celsius against 13.3 degree Celsius and it was 2.4 degree Celsius above normal for the famous tourist resort.
Kokernag recorded a low of 20.0 degree Celsius against 19.3 degree Celsius and it was 5.9 degree Celsius above normal for the spot in while frontier Kashmir district of Kupwara experienced 19.2 degree Celsius against 19.6 degree Celsius the previous night and it was 3.8 degree Celsius above normal in the town.
Gulmarg recorded a low of 4.6 degree Celsius against 14.4 degree Celsius the previous night and it was 6.8 degree below normal for the famous skiing resort of north Kashmir, the MeT official said.
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