No major spell ahead, cold to increase
Irfan Tramboo
Srinagar, Dec 30: Jammu and Kashmir has witnessed widespread rainfall deficits during the current post-monsoon and early winter season, with most districts recording below-normal precipitation, according to the latest data released by the India Meteorological Department, (IMD).
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The IMD’s seasonal rainfall report for the period from October 1 to December 24, shows that the J&K Meteorological subdivision received 77.4 millimetres of rainfall against a normal of 107.5 millimetres, indicating an overall shortfall of 28 per cent.
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As per IMD classification, the region falls in the “Deficient” category.
A district-wise analysis reveals acute shortages across several parts of the Union Territory.
Shopian recorded a rainfall deficit of 75 percent, Kargil 73 percent, Kishtwar 71 percent, Leh 68 percent and Kulgam 60 percent.
These districts were placed in the “Large Deficient” category, pointing to severe rainfall scarcity during the season.
Several other districts also recorded deficient rainfall, including Budgam with a deficit of 54 percent, Baramulla and Pulwama 48 percent each, Srinagar 42 percent, Ganderbal 41 percent, Anantnag 28 percent and Bandipora 23 percent.
Udampur in Jammu division received 24 percent and Ramban 17 percent, reflecting a broad pattern of below-normal precipitation across the Kashmir valley and parts of the Jammu region.
In contrast, a few districts reported near-normal to excess rainfall.
Kupwara recorded a deficit of 14 percent, Kathua one percent, while Jammu recorded a surplus of four percent, Reasi eight percent, Doda nine percent and Samba 14 percent, all remaining within the normal range.
Rajouri, with a 21 percent surplus, and Poonch, which recorded a 36 percent excess, were the only districts to fall in the “Excess” rainfall category.
Meteorological officials said the dominance of deficient and large-deficient categories indicates a markedly dry post-monsoon and early winter period, which could have implications for water resources, groundwater recharge and winter agriculture, including rabi crops.
Meanwhile, Director Meteorological Centre Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said the weather is likely to remain cloudy, with light activity expected from late afternoon today.
“There will be light snowfall over higher reaches and rain in the plains,” he said, adding that another weather system on Wednesday is expected to bring snowfall to hilly areas of north and central Kashmir, as well as parts of south Kashmir.
He said that on December 31 and January 1, light snowfall is likely to fall in north and central Kashmir, while rain is expected in Srinagar and south Kashmir areas.
“From January 2 onwards, the weather will improve and is expected to remain largely dry till January 12. No major weather spell is expected till mid-January,” Dr Ahmad said.
He also noted that foggy conditions may continue in the coming days but are likely to improve after a brief spell as pollution levels decrease. “Cold conditions will intensify in the coming days,” he added.
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