Jammu: Jammu division continued to reel under intense heat on Thursday with Jammu city recording a scorching 41.5 degrees Celsius, while fresh snowfall in higher reaches and widespread rainfall across Kashmir brought significant relief from rising temperatures in the Valley.
According to the Meteorological Department, Jammu recorded a maximum temperature of 41.5°C, which was 3.1 degrees above normal.
Katra settled at 37.6°C, Batote at 25.1°C and Bhaderwah at 25.6°C. Officials said hot and humid conditions persisted at several places in the Jammu division.
In contrast, temperatures dropped sharply across Kashmir following rain and snowfall in upper reaches.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 23.9°C, which was 1.5 degrees below normal, while Gulmarg settled at 12.6°C, Pahalgam at 20°C and Kupwara at 20°C.
Fresh snowfall was reported from Gurez sector in north Kashmir’s Bandipora district, Tulail Valley
near the Line of Control, Drass and Zojila Pass along the Srinagar-Leh National Highway.
Sonamarg and several mountain peaks in the Valley also received fresh snow following a sharp overnight fall in temperatures.
Locals termed the snowfall unusual for the second half of May.
Moderate to heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms lashed several parts of Kashmir, including Srinagar, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kupwara, Baramulla and other districts, disrupting normal life and affecting vehicular movement in several areas.
In Bandipora district, heavy rainfall created flood-like conditions near Darul Uloom Rahimiya along the Srinagar-Bandipora road after water and mud entered residential localities and damaged houses. Two houses belonging to Nazir Ahmad Dar and Reyaz Ahmad Dar of Nusoo village suffered partial damage.
Two persons, including a minor girl identified as Muskaan, sustained minor injuries in the incident. One of the injured was discharged after treatment, while the other continued to receive treatment at District Hospital Bandipora.
Residents alleged that blocked drains and leaking pipelines worsened the flooding situation. They claimed repeated requests for clearance and repair works had gone unaddressed, leading to overflow during heavy rainfall. The affected families demanded compensation and immediate restoration of damaged roads and protection works.
Officials said restoration teams were immediately deployed and the Tehsildar Bandipora visited the affected areas to assess the situation and supervise relief efforts.
Rainwater accumulation and mudflow were also reported from several low-lying areas of Srinagar and other towns, briefly disrupting traffic movement and daily activities.
According to MeT data, Pahalgam recorded the highest rainfall during the past 24 hours at 14.2 mm, followed by Gulmarg at 13.4 mm, Kupwara at 11.4 mm, Qazigund at 6.8 mm and Srinagar at 5.4 mm.
The Meteorological Department has forecast partly to generally cloudy weather with one or two spells of light rain, thundershowers, gusty winds and hailstorm activity at many places across Jammu and Kashmir on May 21 and 22.
An advisory issued by the department warned of thunder, lightning, hailstorm and gusty winds with speeds of 40-50 kmph, gusting beyond 60 kmph, at isolated places in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions during the next two days.
The weather department said conditions are likely to remain generally dry during the forenoon from May 23 to 25, with brief showers expected towards late afternoon hours at isolated to scattered places. From May 26 to 28, weather is expected to remain generally hot and dry, while partly cloudy conditions with light rain or thundershower at isolated places are likely between May 29 and 31.
Authorities have advised people living in flood-prone and vulnerable areas to remain cautious in view of the possibility of more rain, thunderstorms and strong winds over the coming days.
