SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is set to witness an active spell of monsoon weather over the next five days, with the India Meteorological Department (IMD) forecasting widespread light to moderate rain and thunderstorms across the Union Territory till July 5. The weather department has also warned of heavy rainfall at isolated places in the Jammu division, accompanied by gusty winds, flash floods, landslides and mudslides in vulnerable areas.
According to the five-day forecast issued by the Meteorological Centre Srinagar on Wednesday, moderate rain is expected over most parts of Kashmir and the Jammu region from July 1 to July 3, while the intensity of rainfall is likely to decrease slightly on July 4 and 5, with light to moderate showers continuing at many places. Rain and thunderstorms are expected across all districts during the forecast period.
The IMD has warned of thunderstorms accompanied by gusty winds of 40-50 kmph, gusting up to 60 kmph, at isolated to scattered places across Jammu and Kashmir during the next five days. It has also forecast heavy rain with brief intense showers at isolated to scattered places of the Jammu division from July 1 to July 3, increasing the risk of waterlogging and disruption in low-lying areas.
The department has further cautioned that flash floods, landslides and mudslides may occur at vulnerable locations between July 1 and July 5, advising residents, tourists and commuters to remain alert, particularly in hilly and flood-prone areas.
The district-wise warning maps place much of Jammu division under orange (“Be Prepared/Updated”) alerts between July 1 and July 3, while most districts of Kashmir remain under yellow (“Be Aware”) alerts. The warning level eases across the Union Territory on July 4 and July 5, though isolated thunderstorms and rain are still expected.
Meanwhile, weather observations recorded at 8:30 am on July 1 showed temperatures continuing to remain above normal across Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 35.2°C and a minimum of 23.3°C, while Kupwara registered 35.4°C, Qazigund 33.4°C, Kukernag 33.0°C, Pahalgam 29.6°C, and Gulmarg 26.0°C. In the Jammu division, Jammu city recorded 36.3°C, Katra 32.8°C, Bhaderwah 32.7°C, Batote 28.7°C, and Banihal 31.3°C.
Rainfall during the previous 24 hours was mainly confined to parts of the Jammu division, with Jammu city receiving 35.8 mm, Katra 12 mm, Bhaderwah 5.4 mm, Batote 1.4 mm, and Banihal 0.2 mm, while most stations across the Kashmir Valley recorded no rainfall.
For the next 24 hours, the IMD has forecast scattered light to moderate rain and thunderstorms across Jammu and Kashmir. Srinagar is expected to witness a mainly clear sky turning to very light rain or thunderstorms with temperatures around 33°C (maximum) and 21°C (minimum), while Jammu is likely to experience light to moderate rain and thunderstorms with temperatures around 30°C (maximum) and 24°C (minimum).
