Jammu’s temp falls 13 degrees below normal, hailstorm damages crops

Hailstorm that caused damage to standing crops in Jammu area.
Hailstorm that caused damage to standing crops in Jammu area.

Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 17: With massive rain across the region since yesterday, Jammu’s temperature has recorded a sharp fall of nearly 13 degrees Celsius below normal while thunder and hailstorm caused extensive damage to the crops of the farmers in Jammu, Samba, Udhampur and Kathua belt.
The rain since yesterday has resulted into the sharp fall in temperature and the people have got some relief from the heat wave in the plains of Jammu region. The hail-storm in many parts of Jammu, Bishnah, Akhnoor, Samba and parts of Kathua have caused maximum damage to the wheat crop of the farmers. While in many areas, the crop has been harvested while in other parts, harvesting activity is going on. The hail-storm has caused extensive damage to various crops of the farmers in mostly plains of Jammu region.
Director, Meteorological Department, J&K, Sonum Lotus told the Excelsior that with the Western Disturbances (WD), the rain, thunderstorm and hailstorm have taken place in this part of the region. He said a sharp fall in the temperature has been experienced with this.
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Lotus said during night there will be light rain in some parts of the region while the weather will improve from tomorrow. He said it would be cloudy sky at some places tomorrow but from April 19, the sky will be clear. Till April 23, it will remain dry.
Meanwhile, a Met spokesman said that Jammu recorded a maximum 20.1 degree Celsius temperature which was nearly 13 degree Celsius below normal temperature of 33.4 degree Celsius. The minimum temperature in Jammu was 16.4 degree Celsius today.
Holy township of Katra recorded a maximum temperature of 16.9 degree C and minimum 14.0 degree C, tourist resort of Bhaderwah maximum 13.4 degree C and minimum 10.1 degree C, Batote maximum 12.2 degree C and minimum 9.4 degree C while Banihal maximum 12.7 degree C and minimum 10.4 degree Celsius temperature. The temperature at these places will improve in next 2-3 days, he added.
While chopper service to Mata Vaishnodevi shrine from base camp Katra remained suspended most of time during the day today due to bad weather, the yatra during last night amidst rain and during day remained normal. The air traffic at Jammu airport was also normal.
Rain and water logging in many City crossings, Canal Road and Talab Tillo affected normal flow of traffic. The blockade in drains created trouble for the people in several localities.
Meanwhile, despite rain Jammu-Srinagar National Highway and Batote-Doda-Kishtwar roads remained opened since last evening. Shooting stones near Digdol and Ramsu caused brief disruption. However, the road was restored within half an hour, an official spokesman said.

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