Jammu, June 30: The southwest monsoon is likely to hit Jammu and Kashmir by July 5, MeT officials said today.
 "There is a high probability that monsoon will advance into the state by July 5," a senior official in Jammu and Kashmir’s Met department said adding that the state is expecting a normal monsoon this year, providing a much needed relief to the farmers in most parts of Jammu region.
  Sources said that southwest monsoon winds had been little delayed by few days. “Normally winds enter in state by July 1 but this time the onset of monsoon will be little delayed”, they said.
 Further sources said that a cyclonic circulation has occurred over Bay of Bengal which helps in intensifying the speed of monsoon winds laden with water to move faster towards northern states of India.
 The monsoon this year is likely to be 97 per cent of its Long Period Average (LPA) over north-west India, including Jammu and Kashmir.
 Meanwhile, some isolated places in Jammu region received pre-monsoon showers, during the last 24 hours, providing some relief from the scorching heat even in the winter capital.
 As per meteorological department, Katra town observed 5.3 mm rainfall, Batote 2.8 mm and Banihal witnessed rainfall of 3.2 mm. There were also reports of mild rainfall in outskirts of Jammu, last evening. 

Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 1 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST