Kashmir simmers as heat wave continues

Srinagar: Amid the heat wave in Kashmir, the weatherman has predicted light rains at scattered places in Jammu and Kashmir from June 24 while the hottest day recorded was for the third straight day in the Valley.
Almost all the stations across Kashmir recorded the hottest day of the season so far while Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir was hottest among all where the mercury settled at 34.8 degree Celsius.
Qazigund was the second highest at 34.6 degree Celsius while Kupwara, Kokernag, Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Baramulla, Bandipora and Sopore also recorded the hottest days of season.
As per the data, in Kupwara, the mercury settled at 33.7 degree Celsius while in Pahalgam it settled at 29.3 degree Celsius.
The mercury has risen to 32.7 degree Celsius at Kokernag, 26.0 degree Celsius at Gulmarg, 33.2 degree Celsius at Bandipora and 34.4 degree Celsius at Sopore.
The maximum temperature continued to rise in the last three days across the Valley.
However, the weatherman here has predicted light rains from June 24 in Jammu & Kashmir.
Deputy Director, Meteorological department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that the weather would remain mainly hot and dry on June 23 (Friday), but a brief spell of shower, thunderstorm at 1 or 2 places towards late afternoon or evening can’t be ruled out.
On June 24, the weather would remain generally cloudy while there is a possibility of light rain, thunderstorm at scattered places of Jammu and few places of Kashmir division as well.
He further added that from June 25-28, the weather would remain generally cloudy with possibility of intermittent light to moderate thundershower at many places.
A few places over Jammu division may receive intense showers for a short period, he added.
Furthermore, he said that the maximum temperature over plains of Kashmir division would likely range between 32-35 degree Celsius and 40-41 degree Celsius over plains of Jammu till 23rd June.
Moreover, health experts have stated that elderly and children are usually getting affected by heat.