Kashmir swelters ahead of wet spell

Excelsior Correspondent

Srinagar, June 24 : As Kashmir braces for the three-day wet spell, Srinagar today surpassed the previous records of two decades after the mercury settled at 35.5 degrees, which is the highest June temperature since 2005.
Srinagar has recorded a day temperature of 35.5 degrees Celsius, which is the hottest day of the season so far. Similar day temperature was recorded on June 20, breaking the previous record of 20 years.
In Qazigund, the mercury settled at 33.6 degrees while Pahalgam recorded 30.6 degrees. In Kupwara, a maximum temperature of 34.7 degrees while Kokernag and Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, the mercury settled at 33.2 degrees and 26.0 degrees respectively.
Director Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that intermittent spells of light to moderate rain and thundershower are expected at many places with the possibility of heavy rain at isolated places of Jammu division from June 25 to June 27.
Between June 28 to 30, he said there is a possibility of intermittent rain and thundershower at scattered places while from July 01 to 02, there is a possibility of intermittent rain and thundershower at scattered places.
In this regard, the MeT has issued an advisory, stating that there is a possibility of moderate to heavy rain with intense showers at a few places, mainly in Jammu division from June 25 to 27. It added that flash floods at a few vulnerable places with landslides, mudslides and shooting stones are expected.
Water logging in low-lying areas of the plains of Jammu division and a rise in water level in rivers and local nallahs are expected, the advisory reads, adding that farmers are advised to suspend irrigation, spraying and fertiliser application from June 25 to June 27.