Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, May 18: While the winter capital city experienced maximum temperature of this season, which came out to be nearly 4 degree Celsius above normal today, the water crisis has started affecting many areas of the city besides rural belt of the region with the mercury showing sharp rise.
According to Met observatory sources, Jammu recorded maximum temperature of 42.7 degree Celsius today against the normal temperature of 38.6 degree Celsius. The minimum temperature recorded in the winter capital city today was around 24.6 degree Celsius. The maximum temperature recorded in Jammu on Friday was 40.6 degree Celsius while minimum 22.9 degree Celsius. A sharp rise in the temperature in just 24 hours indicate that coming days ahead will be more hot in Jammu and surrounding areas.
Kathua recorded the hottest day so far of the season with the maximum temperature of 43.6 degree Celsius and minimum 22.1 degree Celsius today. Samba witnessed 42.7 degree Celsius and minimum 20.1 degree Celsius whereas, Udhampur city a maximum of 40.6 degree C and minimum 17.3 degree Celsius temperature.
Chief Scientist, SKUAST-Jammu, Dr M K Khushu when contacted admitted that today was the hottest day of the season so far in Jammu and it was nearly 4 degree Celsius above the normal temperature. He disclosed that normal temperature these days as per data available is around 38.6 degree Celsius.
Dr Khushu further disclosed that maximum temperature on this day in Jammu was 43.6 degree Celsius in 2011 where on May 31, the same year it was 41.6 degree Celsius. He indicated that sudden rise in temperature with in 24 hours is not good in view of weather conditions. He said there are maximum chances of sun stroke not only to the human beings but also to the birds and animals.
Apart from this vegetable crop will be affected much with rising temperature and it needs maximum water and protection as well. Small growing fruit plants also need extra attention under such circumstances. Dr Khushu said litter moisture reduces to minimum in the roots and it turns like inflammable substance, giving rise to the forest fires which further increase surrounding temperature. Some extra precautions are needed by the people while throwing cigarette/ biddi etc in the ground or any other place near the forests.
Meanwhile, with the rising temperature in Jammu, Samba, Kathua area, the water sources in this Kandi belt have started drying up. With the depletion of water table and shrinking water sources, the normal water supply has started affecting not only in rural but in urban and sub-urban areas also. The demand of water through tanker supply is increasing and the cry for water in many areas has started picking up momentum. The rising mercury level indicates that coming days are also demanding for the PHE Department in Jammu region.
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