Even as some higher reaches of Kashmir received fresh snowfall and several areas witnessed rainfall, the seasonal rainfall deficit in Kashmir stood at 34.27 per cent below normal, while Jammu division recorded a deficit of 19.91 per cent.
Residents of Jammu plains continued to endure an intense heatwave along with unscheduled power cuts despite repeated appeals to the government for uninterrupted electricity supply.
The Gurez sector in Bandipora district was enveloped in snow late Wednesday evening, while Zojila Pass on the Srinagar-Leh highway and the Sonamarg area also witnessed snowfall.
The plains of the Valley, including summer capital Srinagar, received intermittent rain. Heavy rainfall accompanied by thunderstorms caused extensive damage in Bandipora district, where a road was badly damaged and several houses were inundated with water and muck. Waterlogging was reported from multiple areas.
The Meteorological Centre, Srinagar, said there was a possibility of thunder, lightning, hailstorms and gusty winds with speeds of 40-50 kmph at isolated places in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions during May 21 and 22.
The weather office also forecast one or two spells of light rain at many places till Friday. “Weather is likely to remain generally dry during the forenoon with brief showers towards late afternoon at scattered places from May 23 to 25, while hot and dry conditions are expected from May 26 to 28,” the Centre said. Brief showers are also expected between May 29 and 31.
Despite recent precipitation, Kashmir has recorded a sharp rainfall deficit of 34.27 per cent from March 1 to May 21 this year. Shopian, Kulgam, Budgam and Anantnag districts remain the worst affected, with deficits of 74 per cent, 55 per cent, 47 per cent and 48 per cent respectively. Jammu division recorded an overall deficit of 19.91 per cent during the same period.
Official data also revealed an alarming weekly rainfall deficit across most districts from May 15 to 21, particularly in Jammu division, where the average shortfall stood at 85.69 per cent. In Kashmir, average weekly rainfall was recorded at 11.92 mm against the normal 23.01 mm, while Jammu division received only 1.8 mm against the normal 12.58 mm.
During the past week, Jammu district received just 0.1 mm rainfall amid the heatwave, while Kathua, Samba and Udhampur recorded no rainfall. Kishtwar and Reasi received only 0.8 mm and 0.4 mm rainfall respectively against the normal 26.2 mm during the week.
In Kashmir division, Shopian recorded the lowest weekly rainfall at 3.5 mm against the normal 27.4 mm, followed by Budgam at 4.3 mm.
