Owais Gul
Srinagar, Dec 19 : With the no forecast of a major weather activity till the end of this month, the deficit rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir has increased to 78 per cent during the last two and a half months with South Kashmir’s Shopian topping the list with 96 per cent deficiency from October 01, 2024 to December 18, 2024.
According to the details available with the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), J&K is witnessing an increase in the deficit rainfall with each passing week as the prolonged dry spell has continued for the last two months at multiple places.
The deficiency increases at a time when the cold wave has tightened its grip across Kashmir where the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, Srinagar has recorded the coldest night of the season at minus 6.0 degree Celsius.
Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, recorded a low of minus 5.0 degree Celsius.
In Pahalgam, the mercury settled at minus 6.8 degree Celsius while in Qazigund, a gateway of Kashmir, it settled at minus 7.0 degree Celsius. North Kashmir’s Kupwara recorded a low of minus 6.2 degree Celsius while Kokernag in South Kashmir recorded a minimum temperature of 5.3 degree Celsius.
Meanwhile, the deficit precipitation has gone further up to 75 per cent across Jammu and Kashmir from October 01, 2024 to December 19, 2024. Against the normal precipitation of 97.1mm, J&K has recorded a rainfall of 21 mm during the period.
The highest deficit has been recorded in Shopian with 96 per cent followed by Poonch with 95 per cent while Kulgam and Budgam have recorded a deficit rainfall of 94 per cent and 90 per cent respectively.
Srinagar has recorded a deficit rainfall of 87 per cent. However, Samba is the only place across J&K where above normal rainfall has been recorded as against the normal precipitation of 41.76 mm, the station has recorded a precipitation of 47 mm during the period.
Kupwara, has recorded a deficit rainfall of 41 per cent during the period, the data reads.
Moreover, the weather is expected to remain dry for the next 24 hours while light snowfall is expected over a few higher reaches on December 21 and 22, Director Meteorological department (MeT) said.
From December 23 to 24, a dry weather condition is expected in J&K followed by a light snowfall over higher reaches towards 27th late evening or night to 28th forenoon, he said, adding that the weather would remain generally dry on December 29 &30.
He added that the light snow is also expected at a few higher reaches on December 31st.
Furthermore, the MeT in its advisory has said that the cold wave is expected to continue at isolated to scattered places.
In view of fresh snowfall, sub-freezing temperature & icy conditions over roads of important passes and higher reaches, the tourists, travelers and transporters are advised to follow administration and traffic advisory—(KNO)
