SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is likely to witness a spell of fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rain and thunderstorms over the next several days, with the Meteorological Centre Srinagar forecasting continued wet weather across both divisions.
According to the weather bulletin issued by the Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, on Tuesday, fairly widespread to widespread light to moderate rain or thunderstorms are expected across J&K during the next 24 hours. Similar conditions are likely to continue over the subsequent two days.
The forecast for Kashmir indicates fairly widespread rainfall from August 18 to 21, followed by widespread rainfall on August 22 and 23. Rainfall activity is expected to become isolated on August 24. In Jammu division, widespread rainfall has been forecast from August 18 through August 23, with isolated activity likely on August 24.
The weather office has also warned of isolated thunder and lightning accompanied by gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph in Kashmir during the coming days. Isolated heavy rain has also been forecast for August 22 and 23.
For Jammu division, the forecast carries a more significant weather impact, with isolated heavy rain, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds of 30-40 kmph likely during the period. The department has cautioned about the possibility of landslides, mudslides, shooting stones and flash floods at vulnerable places.
Meanwhile, temperatures remained above normal in several parts of J&K during the past 24 hours. The maximum temperature was 33.0°C in Srinagar in Kashmir division and 35.0°C at Kathua in Jammu division. Minimum night temperatures were also 1-2°C above normal at many places in Kashmir, while they remained near normal at several places in Jammu division.
Gulmarg recorded the lowest minimum temperature in Kashmir division at 12.7°C, while Bhaderwah recorded the lowest in Jammu division at 17.8°C.
The weather bulletin also recorded light to moderate rain and thunder across parts of the region, with Mirpur receiving the highest precipitation at 81.6 mm during the period under review.
For Wednesday, August 19, Srinagar is expected to remain generally cloudy with light rain or thunderstorms, with the maximum and minimum temperatures likely to hover around 30°C and 22°C, respectively. Jammu is forecast to have a generally cloudy sky with light to moderate rain or thunderstorms, with temperatures expected around 32°C and 25°C.
The weather office has advised people to remain alert, particularly in areas vulnerable to landslides, mudslides, shooting stones and flash floods during spells of heavy rainfall.
The seven-day forecast issued by the Meteorological Centre covers the period from 8:30 am on August 18 to 8:30 am on August 25.
