SHAKEELA ANDRABI
SRINAGAR: After witnessing an intense heat wave for last one week, there was a respite for people as Kashmir received light to moderate rainfall.
However, winds in Srinagar city caused disruption in electricity supply on Monday morning, besides damaging property at various places in south Kashmir.
Trees were uprooted at many places in the Bijbehara area, causing disruption in electricity supply, plunging entire area into darkness.
The Meteorological Department (MeT) has predicted that light to moderate rainfall will continue in Kashmir till 21st of July.
Srinagar had earlier recorded hottest day in eight years on Sunday July 18, 2021 as the maximum temperature touched 35 degrees Celsius.
As per Met official, “July 18 was the hottest day of the season so far in the city and the hottest in the month of July in eight years. Previously, the city had recorded the maximum of 35.4 degrees Celsius on July 29, 2013.”
Kupwara district, in north Kashmir, was hotter than Srinagar as the mercury there settled at 35.3 degrees Celsius, which was also the highest day temperature in eight years, the official said.
Jammu and Kashmir MeT Department issued an advisory on Saturday afternoon (July 17), that there is possibility of flash floods in some parts of Jammu and Kashmir in next few days as it has predicted heavy rainfall across Jammu & Kashmir till July 21.
Director MeT, Sonam Lotus, said, “Moderate to heavy rain will continue till late hours of 21st July and after that weather will be clear gradually.
Tourist places like Gulmarg in north Kashmir and Pahalgam in south Kashmir received normal to heavy rainfall.
The heavy rainfall during night hours triggered flash-floods and caused water-logging in several areas of south Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Monday.
At Srigufwara-Sirhama in Bijbehara, a cloud burst resulted into overflowing of streams and Dadi canal causing flash-floods.
“The water entered many houses in the village and damaged standing crops and orchards,” locals said.
Meanwhile, day and night temperatures Valley also dropped as Srinagar recorded maximum of 24 and minimum 17 degree Celsius.