| After witnessing above normal day temp; rain, hailstorm in Kashmir | | |
EARly Times Report
Srinagar, May 14: After witnessing above normal maximum temperature due to sunshine, the weather abruptly changed in the evening as skies turned cloudy followed by rain, winds and hailstorm in many parts of Kashmir valley.
Meanwhile, the night temperature dipped and settled below normal at most places in the valley.
A Met department spokesperson told that light to moderate rain and hail would occur during the next 24 hours in Kashmir valley, particularly in north and central Kashmir, under the influence of a Western Disturbance (WD), which is active in the region. “Light rain, thundershowers would occur at isolated places in the valley four days from Saturday,” he added.
People in the summer capital, Srinagar, woke up to a sunny Friday morning. The weather remained pleasant throughout the day as the sun played hide and seek in the city, where the maximum temperature settled slightly above normal at 24 degree. However, skies turned cloudy later in the evening followed by heavy rain and winds, resulting in dip in the day temperature. Majority of the people, including children, remained confined to their homes on the second day of Eid-ul-Fitr on Friday as strict restrictions continued due to ‘COVID curfew’ in the city, which is the most affected district in J&k in terms of fresh positive cases.
He said skies will be partly cloudy to light rain and thundershowers during the next 24 hours in Srinagar.
Light to moderate rain lashed the world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, resulting in chilly weather conditions during the day. The maximum temperature at the ski resort, which remained deserted as shops and business establishments were closed and traffic was off the roads in view of extension of the lockdown till May 17, settled about a degree below normal at 14 degree. “All the shopkeepers remained closed while ATV drivers and pony owners have been asked not to come to the ski resort since April 29 evening following COVID lockdown,” a hotelier said.
Besides Gulmarg, world famous tourist resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir was the only place in the valley where the maximum temperature settled below normal at 18.2 degree. The resort, which also remained deserted due to COVID-induced lockdown, also received light rain in the evening.
Meanwhile, hailstorm followed by heavy rain was witnessed in Handwara in the border district of Kupwara in north Kashmir, resulting in dip in the maximum temperature, which settled slightly above normal at 24.8 degree.
Light to heavy rain was also recorded in other parts of the valley later in the evening, forcing people to wear warm clothes, including sweaters and jackets.
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