First Monsoon rains bring relief from heat, humidity

Lightning kills minor, 12 hurt during last rites

JAMMU: After reeling under hot weather conditions for several days, people in Jammu were in for some relief, courtesy first showers of the Monsoon, which helped the mercury climb down while bringing respite from humid conditions on Sunday evening.
However, a 10-year-old girl was killed and three persons were injured when they were struck by lightning in a remote area in Poonch district on Sunday, even as at least twelve people who had gathered for last rites of the victim were injured after her mud-house collapsed.
Hailstorm was witnessed in Rajouri destroying standing crops, fruit and vegetables in many areas of kotranka sub district, even as reports from several areas were reported.
After witnessing an exceptionally hot and humid weather for first half of the day, people here heaved a sigh of relief with first showers of the Monsoon hitting the Union Territory on Sunday evening.
As heavy cloud hovered over the skies early evening, people soon witnessed first rains of the season, which also helped the temperature coming down significantly, besides giving relief from the humidity.
An IMD official said that light to moderate thundershower took place over fairly widespread places of Jammu and Kashmir including Poonch, Rajouri, Ramban, Udhampur, Katra, Jammu and Samba, while reports suggested some rainfall in South and Central Kashmir also.
Director Jammu and Kashmir Meteorological Department Sonam Lotus had told The News Now that Monsoon will hit J&K between June 24 and June 25, a week earlier as compared to normal arrival of monsoon.
Normally the monsoon arrives in J&K around July 1. Last year, the monsoon covered the whole state by July 7. The department has forecast mainly clear sky to partly cloudy sky for Monday.
However, a 10-year-old girl was killed and three persons were injured after struck by lightning at their mud-house in Manai village in Behram Gala area of Poonch around 5.30 pm.
The deceased girl was identified as Ufaq Iman and said her body was handed over to her family for last rites after completion of legal formalities. The injured were evacuated to a hospital.
Soon after the news broke out, people from the adjacent areas thronged the venue to participate in the last rites.
In a bid to condole the bereaved family amid arrangements for last rites, many villagers forced their entry to the house, however in the meantime house collapsed resulting in injuries to at least twelve people.
“At least twelve people have sustained injuries in the incident, of which four were evacuated to SDH Surankote for treatment”, officials said, adding “Eight of them with minor injuries are under treatment at a local health centre.”