Showers bring respite from sweltering heat in Kashmir Valley

Adil Akhzer

Srinagar, July 29

The Kashmir Valley witnessed rainfall on Monday bringing much-needed respite from the heatwave.

While Srinagar witnessed light rainfall, nearby areas saw moderate rainfall, said weather officials. It provided much-needed respite to people from hot and humid weather.

“The rain brought some relief to people today. We recently saw high temperatures at several places in the Valley,” Mukhtar Ahmad, MeT Director in Srinagar, told The Tribune. He said prolonged dry spell was the reason behind rising temperature.

Weather Department officials said generally cloudy skies would prevail with intermittent spells of light to moderate rain/thundershower at many places of Kashmir division from July 30 to August 7.

Bashir Ahmad Basheer, president of the New Kashmir Fruit Association, Srinagar, said: “Fruit growers are much worried due to erratic weather conditions. We have never seen such high temperature in the Valley.”

He said there was not enough rainfall today. “We are praying for more rain. If there was not enough rainfall, we will face serious problems,” said Basheer.

“Climate change is leading to extreme weather events. The Himalayan region is more vulnerable to climate change and there is a need to better understand these climatic vulnerabilities,” said Ravindra Khaiwal, Professor of Environment Health, PGI, Chandigarh.

Met predicts heavy rain for next 5 days in Jamp;K, Ladakh

Jammu: Weathermen in Union Territories of Jamp;K and Ladakh have predicted heavy rain in the coming days. It may also trigger landslides and cloudburst in some parts of these regions. Ladakh witnessed heavy rainfall today. As a result, mudslides were witnessed in parts of Leh district, causing damage to some homes.