The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — The Meteorological Department in Srinagar has issued a weather advisory for Jammu and Kashmir, warning of potential flash floods, landslides, and mudslides in vulnerable areas due to intense rainfall over the next two days.

According to the forecast, light to moderate rain and thundershowers are expected across many parts of the region late at night and early morning on August 19 and 20. A brief spell of showers is also anticipated at a few locations later in the afternoon.

The advisory specifically highlights the risk in the Jammu Division, where heavy rainfall could trigger flash floods, landslides, and shooting stones. People in vulnerable areas are urged to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions.

From August 21 to 22, the region will likely experience brief spells of rain and thundershowers during the day, with more widespread precipitation occurring late at night and early morning.

Kashmir Division is expected to see mostly calm weather with only occasional brief showers from August 23 to 31. However, light to moderate rain and thundershowers may continue in the Jammu Division during this period.

Additionally, the MeT Department forecasts a rise in daytime temperatures across the region from August 23 onwards, marking a transition to warmer conditions.

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SRINAGAR — A flood-like situation was witnessed in Keller area of southern Kashmir’s Pulwama district on Saturday after the cloudburst occurred at Chowgam Kellar area while the rains lashed most parts of Jammu and Kashmir, bringing down the mercury across the Union Territory.

As per the details available with the news agency KNO, the cloudburst at Chowgam Kellar led to a flood-like situation today as the muddy water entered several residential houses. Although no damage occurred due to the incident, the muddy water has entered the residential houses in the hamlet today, the locals informed.

Flash floods also hit Achgoza village in the Valley's southern district of Pulwama. The village in Rajpora Tehsil of the district experienced severe disruption last night due to flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in the nearby forest area.

Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif Keng said the sudden cloudburst resulted in the rapid accumulation of water, submerging the village and several residential properties.

A local resident described the situation, saying the water rose so quickly that they had no time to react. "Within minutes, our homes were submerged, and we had to evacuate hastily."

Another resident expressed relief that the water levels are now receding. Currently, water levels are decreasing, allowing villagers to begin assessing the damage and cleaning up.

DC Pulwama, Basharat Qayoom said the situation is being closely monitored and efforts are underway to provide necessary assistance to the affected families.

Meanwhile, below normal temperature was recorded at all the stations across Jammu and Kashmir as the rainfall continued from the wee hours of this morning till the afternoon.

As per the details, Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a rainfall of 8.8mm from 8:30 this morning to 5:30 in the evening.

Qazigund, a gateway of Kashmir, has recorded a precipitation of just 1.2mm while Pahalgam recorded 6.2mm during the period. Kupwara, Kokernag and Gulmarg recorded precipitation of 1.3mm, 1.4mm and 2.2mm respectively.

According to the details, Jammu’s Batote has recorded the highest precipitation with 24.9mm in the last 24 hours till 8:30 am followed by 4.8mm in Banihal.

Meanwhile, the weatherman has predicted the possibility of a brief spell of rain and thundershower at a few places during daytime and light to moderate rain and thundershower at many places of J&K towards late night or early morning during the next three days till August 20.

Director Meteorological Department (MeT), Dr Mukhtar Ahmad said that there is a possibility of a brief spell of rain and thundershower at a few places during daytime and light to moderate rain and thundershower at isolated places of J&K towards late night or early morning from August 21 to August 23.

The MeT has also predicted the possibility of intense showers for brief periods and heavy rainfall in Jammu division that may lead to flash floods, landslides, mudslides and shooting stones over vulnerable places of J&K during the next three days.

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SRINAGAR — Since 1981, the summer capital Srinagar has witnessed the third highest ever day temperature this summer season.

As per the Meteorological Department, Srinagar this summer recorded 35.7 degrees Celsius temperature which is the highest since 2006 when the temperature was recorded 35.5 degrees Celsius.

For the last 44 years since 1980, the highest temperature recorded in Srinagar was 37 degrees Celsius in 1999. The temperature recorded on Thursday as per the MeT was 34.5 degrees Celsius.

The highest day temperatures above 35 degrees Celsius were recorded in 1997 (36.6 degrees Celsius), 1999 (37 degrees Celsius), 2006 (35.5 degrees Celsius) and 2024 (35.7 degrees Celsius).

A MeT official told the news agency KNT that the prolonged dry weather has led to a sharp increase in day temperature across Kashmir during the last few weeks.

“After 18 years, Srinagar recorded the highest temperature this season. The hot weather conditions are expected to continue till Tuesday,” he added.

A severe heatwave is expected to grip Kashmir over the next three to four days. Weather models have significantly reduced the likelihood of rain in the region, indicating a prolonged period of hot, dry conditions.

Temperatures are forecast to climb to potentially record-breaking levels, with the possibility of some all-time highs being shattered. While the forecast predicts predominantly dry weather, isolated thunderstorms cannot be entirely ruled out.

People are advised to take precautions to protect against heat-related illnesses and avoid unnecessarily getting out in the sun, especially between 12:00 noon and 03:00 pm.

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