Srinagar- Announcing an end to the scorching heat wave in Kashmir following fresh snowfall in the upper reaches of the Valley, the weather department on Tuesday predicted dry weather conditions to continue in the Union Territory till October 5.
The valley got respite from the heat after receiving brief spells of rainfall in scattered places, especially the higher reaches in the last three days. The weather in many areas remains cloudy.
Notably, the rainfall broke the nearly two-month-long unprecedented dry spell in Kashmir on Monday as the season’s first snowfall occurred in the ski resort of Gulmarg.
Mukhtar Ahmad, deputy director Meteorological department (MeT) told Kashmir Observer that the monsoon is over as the autumn season has arrived.
“The heat wave is over. The weather will remain dry except a sporadic rainfall in scattered places. However, there is no forecast of any major rain or snowfall for the next one week. ,” Ahmad told Kashmir Observer.
According to the weatherman, in August, Jammu-Kashmir was grappling with a rainfall deficit of 29%, recording only 131 mm of rain against 184.9 mm of normal precipitation.
The situation wasn’t any better in September. With just 20 mm of precipitation till Saturday last, Kashmir received about 55 mm of rainfall against 75 mm of average rainfall expected by September 23.
The dry weather had adversely affected horticulture and agriculture sector production, particularly apples.
The dry weather had also led to a fall in the water level of other water bodies as well. The water volume in the water bodies of the valley has dropped around 75% than normal, according to reports.
Summer temperatures had also remained unusually high in the Valley this year resulting in a heat wave; the locals were not accustomed to. On September 12, the summer capital Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 34.2 degrees Celsius which was a notch less than the all-time highest recorded temperature of 35 degrees Celsius in 1934.
Meanwhile, the season’s first snowfall at multiple places and overnight rainfall has brought relief to the people from scorching heat and also the prolonged dry spell.
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