Kashmir Impulse Desk
Srinagar, Oct 11
Heavy rainfall in Jammu and falling temperatures across Kashmir brought a sharp change in weather conditions in Jammu and Kashmir on Sunday, with light snowfall reported in higher reaches and more precipitation forecast for October 13-15.
Jammu city received 185.6 mm of rain in the 24 hours up to Sunday, setting a new October record for rainfall in 24 hours, a weather official said.
The previous record was 160 mm, recorded in 1955.
The downpour brought Jammu’s maximum temperature down to 23.3 degrees Celsius, nine degrees below normal. Banihal recorded 19.5 degrees, Batote 18.1, Katra 21 and Bhaderwah 17.8 degrees, all below seasonal averages.
In Kashmir, temperatures have declined over the past four to five days after reaching 31 degrees Celsius during the first week of October. Cloud cover and scattered light rain kept daytime temperatures below normal on Sunday, while light snowfall was reported in higher reaches.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 23.4 degrees Celsius, 0.8 degrees below normal. Pahalgam recorded 17.4 degrees, 3.7 degrees below normal, and Gulmarg 13.5 degrees, 1.6 degrees below normal.
Qazigund recorded 22 degrees, a degree below normal, while Kokernag registered 21.6 degrees, 0.7 degrees below normal. Kupwara’s maximum temperature was 25.8 degrees, close to normal.
Cloud cover kept overnight temperatures relatively high. Srinagar recorded a minimum of 10.6 degrees Celsius, 3.1 degrees above normal. Qazigund registered 9.8 degrees, Kokernag 9.4, Kupwara 8.7, Pahalgam 5.4 and Gulmarg 5 degrees.
Light snowfall was reported on Saturday at Apharwat in Gulmarg, Pir Ki Gali, Margan Top and Sinthan Top.
The Meteorological Centre Srinagar had forecast heavy rainfall in the Jammu division until Sunday afternoon, followed by an improvement in conditions. Monday is expected to remain generally dry.
“From October 13 to 15, generally cloudy conditions, light rain at many places and light snowfall over higher reaches are likely, with thunderstorms and gusty winds possible on October 13 and 14,” a MeT official said.
Brief light rain may occur at a few places on October 16, while generally dry weather is forecast from October 17 to 23.
The weather department has advised farmers to continue harvesting and ensure safe storage of apples and paddy.
