The India Meteorological Department on Wednesday said Jammu and Kashmir is likely to witness generally cloudy weather with spells of rain and thundershowers between May 3 and 5, and advised farmers to suspend agricultural operations during this period.
The MeT Centre Srinagar, as per the news agencypredicted that weather will remain generally dry on May 1 and 2, although brief showers cannot be ruled out.
“Generally cloudy weather with one or two spells of light to moderate rain or thundershower at many places is expected from May 3 to 5, accompanied by thunder and gusty winds of 40–50 kmph at a few locations,” the department said. From May 6 to 9, the weather is expected to turn generally dry again, with isolated brief showers possible.
The MeT department issued an advisory asking farmers to suspend farm operations during May 3–5 in view of the expected rain and gusty winds.
Meanwhile, day temperatures across the Valley remained below normal on Wednesday. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 20.0°C, which is 3.1 degrees below normal, while the minimum settled at 9.9°C, slightly above normal by 0.4 degrees.
Qazigund recorded a maximum of 20.2°C, 2.2 degrees below normal, and a minimum of 7.2°C. Pahalgam saw a high of 15.2°C, 5 degrees below normal, while the minimum was 7.4°C, 2.8 degrees above normal.
Kupwara recorded a maximum temperature of 19.5°C, 4.2 degrees below normal, and a minimum of 11.3°C. Kokernag registered a high of 20.6°C, while Gulmarg recorded a maximum of 10.8°C.In the Jammu division, Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 35.5°C, close to normal, and a minimum of 22.1°C. Banihal and Batote recorded maximum temperatures of 21.0°C and 19.1°C respectively, both below normal, while Katra recorded a high of 30.3°C.
The MeT department said light rainfall was recorded at several places, with Pahalgam receiving 8.2 mm rain during the day, followed by Gulmarg at 2.4 mm and Kupwara and Qazigund at 0.8 mm each.-----(KNO)