Srinagar, May 21: With Delhi simmering at 43 and Jammu 37 degree Celsius, people in Kashmir valley shiver in unusual cold and continue to use woolens and Kangri (earthen fire pot) to keep themselves warm.
Metrological officials here said the maximum temperature recorded in valley Monday was 20 degrees Celsius. “At higher reaches it was low because of continuous inclement weather,” the officials said. “In Delhi it was 3 degrees above the normal and same is the case with Jammu,” he added.
The people across the valley wear woolens and in upper reaches continue to use Kangri to keep themselves warm.
As incessant rains continue to add to the worries of the people, particularly the farmers, the Meteorological office Monday forecast the inclement weather conditions were likely to persist till Tuesday afternoon. People, particularly the farmers in the valley have been facing difficult times due to the inclement weather for the last more than a month with sporadic hailstorm in many areas of north, south and central districts.
The present wet weather according to Metrological officials was likely to continue, with intermittent breaks. “The conditions would generally remain cloudy during the period,” MeT officials said.
Director MeT Office Kashmir, Sonam Lotus told Greater Kashmir that rains would continue till Tuesday afternoon. He said that a low pressure system has developed over J&K state. “Because of this low pressure system there are frequent rains. We are hopeful that there would improvement in weather from tomorrow afternoon,” he said.
Srinagar, according to MeT officials, received 1.8 mm of rainfall since Monday morning, but the minimum temperature rose by 3 degrees Celsius.
The official said that south Kashmir’s hill resort of Pahalgam received 2.2 mm of rainfall with the mercury rising by 1.2 degrees Celsius, he said and added that Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir recorded 2.7 mm of rainfall.
The official further said that there were reports of hailstorm from some parts of north and south Kashmir.  “Yet we do not have any information of snowfall from any higher reach of valley,” he said.
Jammu-Srinagar highway was still open for traffic when reports last came in. Officials said that the vehicles were allowed from both sides on the highway. They added that no flight was delayed due to rainfall from Srinagar.
Meanwhile Minster for Agriculture, Ghulam Hassan Mir has expressed shock over the damage caused to horticulture produce and paddy saplings due to today’s hailstorm in several areas of Tangmarg constituency.
Minster directed Deputy Commissioner Baramulla to constitute team of officers of revenue, agriculture and horticulture for assessing the damages of crops and fruits. He asked Deputy Commissioner to submit the report to the government within 15 days positively so that they would be compensated under Natural Calamity Fund (NCF).

Lastupdate on : Mon, 21 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 21 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 IST