Several parts of Jammu and Kashmir were hit by rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds and hailstorms on Thursday after a spell of above-normal temperatures across the Union Territory, while fresh snowfall was reported in the Apharwat hills of Gulmarg and other higher reaches of north Kashmir. Weather officials said a fresh western disturbance triggered the change in conditions, bringing brief but intense showers, lightning and strong winds to many areas during the afternoon and evening.
The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar said its nowcast had warned of rain and thundershowers at many places, with hailstorms, lightning and strong winds possible in parts of Kulgam, Shopian, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur, Doda and Kishtwar districts. It also cautioned about localised flash floods and mudslides in vulnerable areas because of intense short-duration rainfall.
Officials said a lightning strike in Sazaan village sparked a forest fire in pine-covered areas, though there were no immediate reports of casualties. The weather department advised people to stay indoors during thunderstorms and avoid electric poles, loose structures, overhead wires and old trees. It also urged suspension of boating and shikara operations in Dal Lake and other water bodies during adverse weather conditions.
Despite the unsettled weather later in the day, temperatures stayed above normal across most stations in Kashmir and Jammu earlier on Thursday. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 31.5 degrees Celsius, which was 3.5 degrees above normal, while the minimum settled at 18.5 degrees Celsius, 3.9 degrees above average. Qazigund recorded 30.2 degrees Celsius as its maximum and 16.4 degrees Celsius as its minimum, both above normal. Pahalgam registered 25.9 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara recorded 30.2 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg, the region’s coldest tourist resort, saw a maximum of 21.6 degrees Celsius.
In the Jammu region, Jammu city remained the hottest place with a maximum temperature of 41.8 degrees Celsius, about three degrees above normal. Katra recorded 38.3 degrees Celsius, Batote 31.3 degrees Celsius and Bhadarwah 27.2 degrees Celsius.
Rainfall was scattered across the region. Batote received 24.6 mm of rain and Bhadarwah 21.2 mm, while Katra recorded 2.6 mm and Pahalgam 1.2 mm. Several other weather stations reported only trace rainfall.
The Meteorological Department forecast partly to generally cloudy weather with light to moderate rain, brief intense showers, thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds at many places through June 12. From June 13 to 17, it expects partly to generally cloudy conditions with scattered rain and thundershower activity, mainly during afternoon and evening hours.
Orchard growers have been advised to avoid spraying operations on June 12 because of the likelihood of widespread thundershower activity. Spraying during morning hours may be feasible on most days from June 14 onward, depending on local weather conditions. The department said thundershowers are likely to be short-lived but may be accompanied by hailstorms and gusty winds in isolated areas.
