Kathua town hottest in J&K at 47.4 deg C
UV radiations posing threat to public health
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, May 29: While the heat wave continued to badly hit the northern region, Jammu’s temperature today broke the last 10 years’ record, whereas, Kathua town remained the `hottest place’ in Jammu and Kashmir with maximum temperature of 47.4 degrees Celsius.
The MeT office, Srinagar today recorded the maximum temperature of 44.8 degrees Celsius in Jammu city, while SKUAST’s automatic Chatha observatory, recorded the day temperature of 45.7 degrees Celsius in Jammu.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Director Meteorological Department, Srinagar, Mukhtar Ahmed said that Jammu today recorded highest temperature of the season so far, and it was highest during last 10 years.
He further disclosed that Jammu had recorded 44.1 deg C temperature on May 31, 2019 and 43.9 deg C on May 15, 2020. The all time high temperature of 47.4 degrees Celsius was recorded in Jammu about 40 years ago, on May 26, 1984, Mukhtar revealed.
He stated that mercury continued its upward trend across the Jammu region with Jammu city recording the season’s highest temperature at 44.8 degrees Celsius, nearly 5.7 notches above normal. He said region has been reeling under an extreme heat wave for the past week, with temperatures consistently rising above 40 degrees Celsius since May 16. However, a little relief to the people of the region is expected from Thursday evening, he added.
Chief Scientist, Agro-meteorology Deptt of SKUAST-Jammu, Dr Mahender Singh said that their automatic observatory at Chatha (Jammu) on Wednesday recorded the maximum day temperature of 45.7 degrees C, which is highest of the season. He said Kathua’s temperature remained 47.4 deg C, in Samba 44.8 deg C while in Reasi it was 44.4 deg C.
He disclosed that UV (Ultra Violet) radiations’ intensity 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.
Dr Mahender further disclosed 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 further increased. He advised the people to stay indoor during this time or cover yourself properly if they go out in urgency. He said the people should take much care of children and elderly persons these days. They should drink lot of fluid and water.
The SKUAST Scientist further said that farmers preparing to grow paddy crop should develop nurseries but those planning for maize crop, should suspend their activity for some days. They should plough deep their fields and then leave them for some days to bring end to the insects, Larva etc.
Meanwhile, a MeT official said that Katra, the base camp for Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, recorded 40.3 degrees Celsius, while Leh city experienced 17.4 degrees Celsius.
Hill resort of Bhaderwah in Jammu region, recorded a maximum temperature of 29.4 degrees C and minimum 14 deg C; Batote town maximum 31.9 deg and Banihal 30.8 deg C temperature today. The night temperature at Banihal was 13.6 deg C and at Batote 18.8 degrees on Wednesday.
During noon and afternoon hours, the roads and lanes in Jammu, remained almost abandoned these days due to scorching hot weather conditions. Over 70 percent of the transport remains off the road for some hours as the people prefer to stay inside their homes or business establishments due to blazing sun outside.
Meanwhile, Srinagar’s maximum day temperature was 27.6 degree Celsius today against yesterday’s 32.6 degrees Celsius. In view of the heat wave, the district administration pressed water tankers into service to sprinkle water jets on the roads for the second consecutive day. The police tankers have also joined this initiative.
MeT office Srinagar has predicted a ‘slight relief’ from the present heat wave for 3-4 days from May 30 over Jammu and Kashmir. It said there is a possibility of “slight relief from heat wave/hot & dry weather conditions during May 30-31 & 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 7 days.
The weather will turn partly to generally cloudy with light rain/thunderstorm at isolated places during May 30 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.
Qazigund on the Srinagar-Jammu National Highway recorded a maximum temperature of 27.5 deg C against yesterday’s 33.4; while the tourist spot of Pahalgam in south Kashmir recorded 25.6 against 27.8 deg C on Tuesday.
Famous tourist resort, Gulmarg experienced the maximum temperature of 19.0 deg C against yesterday’s 22.4 deg C,
The maximum temperature at the frontier Kashmir district of Kupwara was recorded as 27.9 deg C against 30.9 deg C recorded on Tuesday and the picnic spot of Kokernag registered 28.3 deg C.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
