SRINAGAR: Fairly widespread light to moderate rain and thunderstorms are likely across Jammu and Kashmir over the next 24 hours, with the weather remaining unsettled over the region for the following two days, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).
The forecast issued by the Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, on Saturday said Kashmir is likely to experience scattered rainfall on August 15 and 16, followed by fairly widespread rain and thunderstorms from August 17 to 20 before the activity becomes scattered again on August 21. Jammu is expected to witness fairly widespread rain on August 15 and 16, with widespread activity forecast from August 17 to 20.
The weather office has warned of isolated thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds reaching 30-40 kmph across both divisions during the forecast period. It has also cautioned of landslides, mudslides, shooting stones and flash floods at vulnerable places.
The possibility of heavier rainfall is more pronounced in Jammu division. Isolated heavy to very heavy rain has been forecast for August 17, while isolated moderate to heavy rain is likely on August 18 and 19. Light to moderate rain is expected on August 20 and 21.
In the past 24 hours till 8:30 am on Saturday, light to moderate rain was recorded at several places. The highest rainfall in the Kashmir division was recorded at Pahalgam at 29.6 mm, while Katra recorded 20.8 mm in Jammu division. The highest rainfall recorded among the listed stations was 55.5 mm at Kulgam, according to the IMD bulletin.
The maximum temperature remained 0-3 degrees Celsius above normal at many places in Kashmir, while it was largely 1-2 degrees Celsius around normal in Jammu. Kupwara recorded the highest maximum temperature in Kashmir at 30.6°C, while Kathua recorded 31.8°C in Jammu. Gulmarg recorded the lowest minimum temperature in Kashmir at 11.6°C.
For Sunday, Srinagar is likely to see a partly cloudy sky with light rain or thunderstorms, with the maximum and minimum temperatures hovering around 31°C and 22°C respectively. Jammu is likely to receive light to moderate rain or thunderstorms, with temperatures around 34°C and 27°C.
The IMD has advised people to remain alert in vulnerable areas, particularly in view of the possibility of flash floods, landslides and shooting stones during spells of heavy rain.
