SRINAGAR: The Meteorological Centre Srinagar has forecast an active spell of weather across Jammu and Kashmir over the next five days, warning of thunderstorms, lightning, gusty winds and heavy rainfall at isolated places, particularly in the Jammu division, with the possibility of flash floods, landslides and mudslides in vulnerable areas.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), light to moderate rainfall is expected across most parts of Jammu and Kashmir from July 2 to July 6. Heavy rainfall is likely over parts of the Jammu division on July 2 and 3, while rainfall activity is expected to gradually shift towards lighter spells in the following days.
The weather office has warned that thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds reaching speeds of 40-50 kmph, with gusts up to 60 kmph, are likely at isolated places across the Union Territory during the five-day period. The advisory also cautions against the risk of heavy rain-triggered flash floods, landslides and mudslides in vulnerable hilly areas between July 2 and July 6.
The five-day forecast indicates light rainfall over most districts of Kashmir, while moderate to locally heavy rainfall is expected across several districts of the Jammu region, including Jammu, Samba, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Ramban, Doda and Kishtwar during the initial two days. Rainfall intensity is likely to reduce after July 4, although scattered showers and thunderstorms may continue across both divisions.
The IMD’s impact-based warning places several districts of the Jammu division under a “Be Prepared/Updated” (orange) alert on July 2 and 3 due to the possibility of heavy rain and associated hazards. Most districts of Kashmir remain under a “Be Aware” (yellow) alert initially, with conditions expected to improve from July 4 onwards as warnings are downgraded in most areas.
Meanwhile, weather observations show that most parts of Jammu and Kashmir remained warmer than normal over the past 24 hours. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 35.3 degrees Celsius, while Jammu registered 36.9 degrees Celsius. Kathua was among the hottest places in the Jammu division at 37.4 degrees Celsius. Rainfall during the previous 24 hours remained negligible at most stations, except Kathua and a few areas in the Jammu region that received light precipitation.
The Meteorological Centre has advised residents, tourists and pilgrims, particularly those travelling on mountainous routes and undertaking the Amarnath Yatra, to remain alert and follow weather advisories, as intense showers may trigger localised flooding, shooting stones and landslides in vulnerable stretches.
