Kashmir Parts Experience Fresh Snowfall in June Month
Several higher reaches of Kashmir experienced fresh snowfall on Friday, while the plains received intermittent light rains for the third consecutive day, leading to a significant drop in temperature across the Valley. The Meteorological Department has predicted another heat wave starting from June 10.
According to the Kashmir Wattan daily (WD), areas such as Affarwat in Gulmarg, Razdan Top, Zojilla, Sadhna Top, and Sinthan Top recorded fresh snowfall, resulting in a slight decrease in the mercury levels. The plains of Jammu and Kashmir continued to experience intermittent rainfall, further contributing to the cooling effect.
Reports indicate that multiple locations received a few inches of rainfall, maintaining the trend of wet weather over the past three days. This has led to a noticeable drop in temperatures, with Srinagar, the summer capital, recording a maximum temperature of 21.6 degrees Celsius.
Qazigund, known as the gateway to Kashmir, saw a maximum temperature of 23.8 degrees Celsius. The popular tourist destination of Pahalgam recorded a temperature of 20.4 degrees Celsius. Kupwara’s temperature settled at 20.9 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag and the ski-resort Gulmarg registered maximum temperatures of 22.7 degrees Celsius and 11.2 degrees Celsius, respectively.
The monsoon season commenced in Kashmir on June 1, bringing intermittent rainfall across the Valley in the following days. This early onset of monsoon rains has contributed to the cool weather, providing relief from the typical summer heat.
Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Department, stated that the weather is expected to remain partly to generally cloudy with possibilities of light rain and thunder in scattered places towards the afternoon. He also mentioned that weather conditions are likely to improve starting from June 9.
From June 9 onwards, generally dry weather is anticipated until June 17, though occasional light rain and thunder at isolated locations cannot be ruled out. Farmers have been advised to resume their farming operations, such as spraying and fertilizer application, from June 9, as the weather conditions will be more favorable.
Despite the current cool spell, the MeT Department has issued an advisory about a fresh spell of hot and dry weather, with a heat wave expected to commence from June 10. This impending heat wave is likely to bring a sharp contrast to the current weather, urging residents and farmers to prepare accordingly.
