EARLY TIMES REPORT
Srinagar, May 4: After witnessing above normal day temperature, the weather witnessed a sudden change on Tuesday evening due to overcast conditions followed by light rain and winds in Kashmir valley.
Meanwhile, the night temperature improved and settled above normal across Kashmir valley, where wet weather is predicted for four days from Tuesday evening. A Met department spokesperson said I that light to moderate rain with thunderstorm, lightning and hailstorm would occur in Kulgam, Pulwama, Shopian and Anantnag in south, Srinagar and Budgam in central, besides world famous ski rest of Gulmarg in north Kashmir on Tuesday evening. “Light rain and thundershowers would occur for three days from Wednesday at most places in the valley under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD), which is active in the region,” he added.
People woke up to a sunny Tuesday morning in the summer capital, Srinagar, where strict restrictions remained imposed on the movement of people in view of extension of COVID curfew till Thursday amid unabated rise in the number of coronavirus cases and deaths. However, as the day progressed, the skies turned cloudy, resulting in dip in the day temperature. The maximum temperature witnessed a dip of about 4 degree from Monday and settled at 24.3 degree, which is still 2 degree above normal. The night temperature in the city improved about 2 degree from Monday and settled at 13.4 degree, which is about 4 degree above normal.
The spokesperson said there will be light rain and thundershowers during the next 24 hours in Srinagar, where the maximum and minimum temperatures will settle at 22 degree and 12 degree, respectively.
After witnessing above normal maximum temperature due to sunshine, the weather turned cloudy at world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, which has witnessed a considerable dip in the arrival of tourists amid unabated rise in the number of COVID-19 cases in the valley and rest of the country. The ski resort, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, remained deserted as shops and business establishments were closed and traffic was off the roads in view of the lockdown. “All the shopkeepers, ATV drivers and pony owners remained closed since April 29 evening in the ski resort following COVID lockdown,” a hotelier said.
However, he said tourists, who have already make bookings in the hotels, were allowed to enter the resort. “Similarly, tourists, who had to go to other resorts or to the airport, were allowed to leave,” he added. The night temperature at Gulmarg improved a degree from Monday and settled at 7.2 degree, which is 3 degree above normal. Meanwhile, due to above normal temperature, snow on the upper heights has started melting with the result water level in water bodies, which was almost zero during winter, has witnessed some increase.
Tourist resort of Pahalgam, which also remained deserted in view of the lockdown, received light rain in the evening, resulting in dip in the day temperature. The upper reaches in Pahalgam, including Chandanwari, also received light rainfall. Amarnath cave shine and its periphery, besides Sheshnag, Mahagung, Pisso top and Panjterni, also received light to moderate rain.
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