Rain, hailstorms lash J&K; snowfall in higher reaches

Jammu hottest at 41.8°C; Srinagar 31.5°C

Jammu Tawi, Jun 11: Several parts of Jammu and Kashmir witnessed rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds and hailstorms on Thursday following a spell of above-normal temperatures across the Union Territory. Fresh snowfall was also recorded in the Apharwat hills of Gulmarg and several other higher reaches of north Kashmir.

Weather officials said that a fresh western disturbance influenced weather conditions across Jammu and Kashmir during the day, bringing rain and thundershowers to many areas.

The Meteorological (Met) Centre, Srinagar, said several places experienced brief, intense showers, thunderstorms, lightning, and gusty winds during the afternoon and evening hours.

The department’s nowcast issued during the day had warned of rain and thundershowers at many places, with the possibility of hailstorms, lightning and strong winds over parts of Kulgam, Shopian, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur, Doda and Kishtwar districts. It had also cautioned about localised flash floods and mudslides in vulnerable areas due to intense short-duration rainfall.

Officials said the lightning strike in Sazaan village sparked a forest fire in pine-covered areas. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

The Met advised people to remain indoors during thunderstorms and stay away from electric poles, loose structures, overhead wires and old trees.

It had also advised suspension of boating and shikara operations in Dal Lake and other water bodies during periods of adverse weather.

Earlier in the day, temperatures remained above normal across most stations in the Kashmir and Jammu regions. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 31.5 degrees Celsius, 3.5 degrees above normal, while the minimum temperature settled at 18.5 degrees Celsius, also 3.9 degrees above the seasonal average.

Qazigund recorded a maximum of 30.2 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 16.4 degrees Celsius, both above normal. Pahalgam registered 25.9 degrees Celsius, while Kupwara recorded 30.2 degrees Celsius. Gulmarg, the Union Territory’s coldest tourist resort, recorded a maximum temperature of 21.6 degrees Celsius.

In the Jammu region, Jammu city remained the hottest place with a maximum temperature of 41.8 degrees Celsius, three degrees above normal. Katra recorded 38.3 degrees Celsius, while Batote registered 31.3 degrees Celsius. Bhadarwah recorded 27.2 degrees Celsius.

Rainfall during the day remained scattered, with Batote receiving 24.6 mm and Bhadarwah 21.2 mm. Katra recorded 2.6 mm, while Pahalgam received 1.2 mm. Several stations reported only trace rainfall.

The Meteorological Department has 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, the weather is expected to remain partly to generally cloudy with scattered rain and thundershower activity, particularly during afternoon and evening hours.

It advised orchard growers to avoid spraying operations on June 12 due to the likelihood of widespread thundershower activity. Spraying during morning hours may be feasible on most days from June 14 onwards, subject to local weather conditions.

It said thundershowers are generally expected to be short-lived but could be accompanied by hailstorms and gusty winds in isolated areas.

Lightning sparks forest fire

Jammu Tawi, Jun 11: A massive bolt of lightning struck a pine tree in the Sazaan area of the picturesque Lal Draman belt in Doda district on Thursday, triggering widespread panic among residents and causing damage to nearby forest land and standing crops.

Officials said that while the high-intensity strike damaged several adjoining coniferous trees and flattened natural vegetation in the vicinity, there was no loss of human life or property reported in the incident.

The sudden thunderclap and subsequent smoke from the forest area caused immediate panic among the local farmers working in the fields.

“We heard a deafening sound that shook the ground underneath us. Within seconds, we saw thick smoke rising from the pine trees. It was terrifying,” said Abdul Razaq, a local resident who witnessed the strike.

Another resident, Asha Begum, described the chaotic moments following the weather event. “The impact was so severe that everyone in the nearby fields started shouting and raising an alarm, alerting others to run for safety. We dropped everything and rushed towards our houses to take shelter,” she said.

Local administrative and forest officials reached the spot shortly after the incident to assess the quantum of damage caused to the forest resources and the private agricultural land.

Meanwhile, the Meteorology Department (Met) has issued a fresh weather advisory for the region, warning of highly volatile weather conditions over the next few days.

“People are strongly advised to stay indoors and avoid taking shelter under isolated trees or standing in open fields, especially during periods of gusty windstorms, severe thunder and lightning activity,” a Met official said.

The district administration has urged residents, particularly those living in the upper reaches of the mountainous district, to remain vigilant and adhere to safety protocols during inclement weather conditions.