Jammu: A persistent heatwave continued to grip the plains of Jammu on Sunday, with temperatures remaining well above normal and the Meteorological Department issuing a heatwave alert for five districts of the Jammu region for the next two days.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), hot and dry weather is likely to continue in Jammu, Kathua, Samba, Reasi and Udhampur districts on April 26 and 27, with heatwave conditions expected at a few places.
The department advised people to avoid direct heat exposure during peak afternoon hours and urged residents to remain hydrated as temperatures continued to rise across the region.
Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 39.4 degrees Celsius, which was 3.7 degrees above normal, while the minimum settled at 23.3 degrees Celsius, 0.9 degrees above average. The intense heat drove large numbers of residents towards water bodies, parks and picnic spots in search of relief.
Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in Reasi district, emerged as the second hottest place in the region, recording a maximum temperature of 35.8 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 19.6 degrees Celsius.
Among other weather stations, Batote in Ramban district registered a day temperature of 27.7 degrees Celsius and a night temperature of 14 degrees Celsius, while Bhaderwah in Doda district recorded a maximum of 27.2 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 8 degrees Celsius.
Rainfall activity across Jammu region remained largely negligible. However, Banihal town along the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway received 3 mm of light rainfall, while Batote recorded 2.4 mm precipitation.
In contrast, weather conditions in Kashmir are expected to remain largely pleasant over the next five days, with dry conditions prevailing at most places and chances of light rain at isolated locations.
The MeT department said one or two spells of light rain or thunder may occur at many places in Kashmir on April 27 and 28, accompanied by gusty winds and hailstorm at a few places, mainly during evening hours.
The weather is expected to turn generally dry again on April 29 and 30.
Officials said the maximum temperature across Kashmir has been hovering between 17 and 22 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature recorded during the previous night remained around 9 degrees Celsius.
The contrasting weather patterns between Jammu and Kashmir divisions have led authorities to keep a close watch on the rising temperatures in the plains, particularly in heatwave-prone districts where public health advisories have been issued.
