Jammu: Severe heatwave conditions continued to grip Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, with Samba emerging as the hottest place in the Union Territory after recording a scorching maximum temperature of 46.6 degrees Celsius during the past 24 hours.
Kathua recorded 44 degrees Celsius, while Jammu city registered 43.5 degrees Celsius, nearly 4.4 degrees above normal. Udhampur recorded 40.8 degrees Celsius and Katra settled at 40 degrees Celsius, reflecting the intense heat conditions prevailing across the Jammu region.
In Kashmir division, Qazigund was the hottest station at 31.4 degrees Celsius, followed by Srinagar at 29.6 degrees Celsius and Kupwara at 28.8 degrees Celsius. Tourist resorts and higher reaches continued to witness relatively cooler conditions, with Gulmarg recording a maximum temperature of 19.8 degrees Celsius and Pahalgam 24.6 degrees Celsius.
According to the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, maximum temperatures remained 2 to 6 degrees Celsius above normal in many parts of Kashmir division and 2 to 5 degrees Celsius above normal at most places in Jammu division. Night temperatures also remained above normal across several stations.
The weather department said dry weather prevailed across Jammu and Kashmir during the past 24 hours, with no rainfall recorded at any major weather station.
However, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast fairly widespread light to moderate rain and thundershowers across Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours.
The MeT department has issued an advisory warning of thunderstorms, lightning, hailstorm and gusty winds at isolated places during May 28 and 29. Wind speeds in parts of Jammu division may reach 50 to 60 kilometres per hour with gusting up to 70 kilometres per hour during intense thunderstorm activity, while Kashmir division may witness winds of 40 to 50 kilometres per hour gusting up to 60 kilometres per hour.
The forecast suggests generally dry weather from May 30 to June 3, although brief spells of rain or thundershowers during late afternoon hours at isolated places cannot be ruled out.
Another spell of scattered rain and gusty winds is expected around June 4 and 5 before dry weather conditions return from June 6 onwards.
The local forecast for Friday predicted partly clear skies with chances of very light rain or thundershowers in both Srinagar and Jammu.
Srinagar is likely to witness a maximum temperature of around 27 degrees Celsius and minimum of 13 degrees Celsius, while Jammu may record around 39 degrees Celsius maximum and 25 degrees Celsius minimum.
Authorities have advised residents, farmers and travellers to remain cautious during thunderstorm activity and avoid venturing into open areas during lightning and strong winds. Tourists visiting Kashmir’s hill resorts, including Gulmarg and Pahalgam, have also been advised to stay updated about changing weather conditions, particularly during afternoon hours when sudden weather activity is more likely.
