Srinagar, June 10: Jammu and Kashmir which has been under the grip of a heat wave for the last four days witnessed hot and humid weather conditions on Thursday with both the winter and summer capitals recording temperatures above normal.
Although the day temperature recorded in Srinagar on Thursday was the same as that of Wednesday, the Meteorological Department in its weather bulletin said humid weather conditions prevailed in both the capital cities. Srinagar on Thursday recorded 34.7 degrees Celsius, which is 6.7 degrees above normal. This temperature is the second highest June temperature in Srinagar in the last 11 years. The highest June temperature in Srinagar during the last 11 years is 35 degrees Celsius recorded on June 3, 2018. The highest ever June temperature in Srinagar is 37.8 degrees Celsius recorded on June 29, 1978.
The above normal temperatures recorded also makes Srinagar the second hottest recorded weather station in the Valley, while Kupwara in north Kashmir was the hottest recorded station on Thursday as it settled at 35.1 degrees Celsius.
As per the Meteorological Department data, Jammu on Thursday recorded 41.9 degrees Celsius, making it the hottest day of this season so far. On Wednesday, Jammu had recorded 42.7 degrees Celsius.
The MeT has forecast a two-day wet spell from Saturday, which is likely to bring much needed respite to the people. While the MeT forecast has said that there could be isolated rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, it has predicted fairly widespread rainfall on Sunday.
Meanwhile, youngsters could be seen taking dip in various water bodies and movement of people during afternoon hours was affected by the heat wave.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) in its “long range forecast” had recently said that Jammu and Kashmir was likely to receive “below normal rainfall” between June and September this year.
In a virtual presentation of the long range forecast, Director General IMD, Mrutyunjay Mohapatra, said, “In J&K, adjoining Ladakh and neighbouring Himachal Pradesh, the probability for below normal rainfall activity is predicted during the June to September period.”