SRINAGAR: Several parts of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed rain, storm, strong winds and hailstorm following above normal temperatures in the union territory on Thursday. Fresh snowfall was also recorded in the Afravat hills of Gulmarg and several other higher reaches of north Kashmir.
Weather officials said the fresh western disturbance affected the weather conditions in Jammu and Kashmir during the day, causing rain and thundershowers in many areas.
Meteorological (Weather) Centre, Srinagar said brief, intense rain, thunderstorm, lightning and strong winds occurred during the afternoon and evening at many places.
The department’s nowcast issued during the day warned of rain and thundershowers at many places with possibility of hailstorm, lightning and gusty winds in parts of Kulgam, Shopian, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur, Doda and Kishtwar districts. It also warned about localized flooding and landslides in vulnerable areas due to short-duration intense rainfall.
Officials said a lightning strike sparked a forest fire in pine-covered areas in Sazan village. There were no immediate reports of casualties.
The weather department has advised people to stay indoors during the storm and stay away from electric poles, loose structures, overhead wires and old trees.
It had also advised to suspend boating and shikara operations in Dal Lake and other water bodies during the period of adverse weather.
Earlier in the day, temperatures remained above normal at most stations in Kashmir and Jammu regions. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 31.5 degrees Celsius, 3.5 degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature was 18.5 degrees Celsius, 3.9 degrees above the seasonal average.
Qazigund recorded a maximum temperature of 30.2 degrees Celsius and a minimum temperature of 16.4 degrees Celsius, which is above normal. The temperature in Pahalgam was recorded at 25.9 degrees Celsius, while in Kupwara it was 30.2 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg, the coldest tourist destination in the Union Territory, recorded a maximum temperature of 21.6 degrees Celsius.
In Jammu region, Jammu city was the hottest place with a maximum temperature of 41.8 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal. The temperature in Katra was recorded at 38.3 degrees Celsius, while Batote recorded 31.3 degrees Celsius. The temperature in Bhaderwah was recorded at 27.2 degrees Celsius.
Sporadic rainfall occurred during the day, with Batote receiving 24.6 mm and Bhaderwah receiving 21.2 mm. Katra recorded 2.6 mm rainfall, while Pahalgam recorded 1.2 mm rainfall. Many stations reported only nominal rainfall.
The weather department has predicted partly to generally cloudy sky with light to moderate rain at many places, brief intense showers, storm, lightning and strong winds till June 12.
From June 13 to 17, the weather is expected to be partly cloudy with scattered rain and thundershowers, especially in the afternoon and evening.
It advised orchard growers to avoid spraying operations on June 12 due to possibility of widespread thunderstorms. Subject to local weather conditions, early morning sprinkles may be possible on most days from June 14 onwards.
It said thunderstorms are expected to be generally short-lived, but hail and strong winds may occur in isolated areas. (KNO)