Srinagar: The summer capital of Union Territory (UT) of Jammu and Kashmir recorded the hottest day of the summer so far at 34.3 degree maximum temperature on Tuesday while heat wave at isolated places will continue during the next 48 hours in the valley.
Fan, water coolers and Air Conditioners (AC) were again put on after remaining shut during harsh winter due to above normal mercury.
A Met department spokesman said this evening that weather will remain mainly dry in Jammu and Kashmir during the next 24 hours. There will be no change and weather will remain dry during the subsequent two days, he said.
He said heat wave at isolated places in the Kashmir valley will continue till June 10 while there is no such warning for Jammu region.
He said the maximum and minimum temperature remained above normal in the Kashmir valley, where people in some areas are facing irrigation and drinking water shortage.
Srinagar, recorded 34.3 degree maximum temperature, highest so far this summer, and it was 6.4 degree above normal. The minimum temperature was 18.6 degree which was 5.2 notches above normal.
There will be no large change as mercury will remain above normal in Srinagar on Wednesday. The sky would be mainly clear to partly cloudy and the maximum and minimum temperatures would be around 33 degree and 19 degree respectively during the next 24 hours in the summer capital.
The world famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, recorded 25 degree maximum temperature, 6.4 degree above normal while the minimum temperature was 13 degree, 4.3 degree above normal, he said.
Famed health resort of Pahalgam, which serves as base camp of annual pilgrimage to holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas, also witnessed above normal mercury. The maximum temperature there was 29.4 degree, 5.5 degree above normal while the minimum temperature was 9.4 degree, which was 2.4 notches above normal. The water level in river Lidder, passing through Pahalgam, also witnessed increase due to melting of snow on upper heights.
Qazigund, gateway of Kashmir on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, which will remain closed on Wednesday for weekly maintenance, recorded 33.4 degree maximum temperature, 6.9 degree above normal while the minimum temperature was 16 degree, four degree above normal.
Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded 34 degree maximum temperature, 6.2 degree above normal while the minimum temperature was 15.6 degree, 3.9 degree above normal.
UNI
