Srinagar, Oct 8: Several parts of Kashmir witnessed a sudden spell of rain, hail, thunderstorms and strong winds on Thursday evening after a bright and relatively warm day, causing the weather to turn colder across the Valley.
The activity first intensified in north Kashmir before spreading to central and south Kashmir. Srinagar and several other areas received rain accompanied by thunder, lightning and gusty winds, with falling branches damaging vehicles at some places.
The weather change also hit agricultural areas.
Parts of Bandipora were affected by heavy hail, while severe hail and rain in Kupwara damaged paddy fields and apple orchards. Crop damage was also reported from some areas of Ganderbal.
Officials have not yet assessed the extent of the losses.
The India Meteorological Department has forecast thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds over Jammu and Kashmir during the ongoing spell. The Meteorological Centre Srinagar said a feeble Western Disturbance was affecting the region.
“Fresh spell of rain, thunderstorm along with intense showers and gusty winds is expected at many places of J&K during the next 6–8 hours,” Director Meteorological Centre Srinagar Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said.
Fresh snowfall is also expected over the extreme higher reaches during the same period.
For October 8-10, the MeT has forecast partly to generally cloudy weather, with light rain at scattered places and light snowfall over higher reaches. Weather is expected to remain generally dry from October 11-13, barring a brief spell of rain towards the evening/night of October 13.
Another spell of rain, light snowfall over higher reaches, thunderstorms and gusty winds is likely on October 14-15, followed by generally dry weather from October 16-18.
Maximum temperatures remained above normal at most Kashmir stations, with Srinagar recording 28.2°C, Qazigund 27°C, Pahalgam 23.6°C, Kupwara 27.7°C, Kokernag 26.8°C and Gulmarg 19°C. Jammu recorded 31.5°C, while Banihal, Batote, Katra and Bhaderwah recorded 25°C, 25.1°C, 29°C and 26.5°C, respectively.
Srinagar’s maximum had touched around 31°C during the first week of October before dropping sharply following rain and snowfall over higher reaches from Tuesday. It has since risen gradually but remained below 30°C, while minimum temperatures continued to fall.
The MeT has advised farmers to continue harvesting and ensure safe storage of harvested apples and paddy. People have also been urged to exercise caution during thunderstorms and strong winds.
The spell followed fresh snowfall reported from the Afarwat belt of Gulmarg, Zojila, Peer Ki Gali, Margan Top and Sinthan Top on Wednesday.
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