Srinagar: The longest dry spell in a decade in Kashmir is likely to end next week as local Metrological department Friday predicted rains and snowfall from January 4 to 6, next year.
“Light to moderate snowfall is likely to occur on higher reaches while plains would also receive widespread rains and snowfall from January 4 to January 6,” Sonam Lotus, Director of MeT Department here told Greater Kashmir.
He said on January 4, weather would remain partly cloudy and rains are likely to occur. “On January 5, snowfall is likely to occur on higher reaches while in plains rains and snowfall may also take place,” he said.
“From mid-September till date, Kashmir has only recorded 5 mm rainfall against the normal rainfall of 100 mm,” he said.
He said Kashmir should have received more than 100 mm rainfall from September to December as per “normal” figures.
“It is the biggest dry spell that Kashmir has witnessed in a decade. Every year, we witness a few months of dry weather, but this year it has persisted for a longer time,” said Lotus.
He said Kashmir witnessed a long dry spell in 2007, but it lasted only for three months.
“In 2007, no rainfall was recorded for consecutive three months—October, November and December. However in 2016, the dry spell is likely to enter fifth consecutive month,” he said.
In July and August this year, 31 mm and 16 mm rainfall was recorded respectively and since then the dry spell continues.
Meanwhile, officials said Srinagar on Tuesday recorded maximum temperature of 11.9 degree Celsius and minimum of minus 4.3 degrees Celsius while Pahalgam recorded minus 3.4 degrees Celsius and Kupwara minus 3.7 degrees Celsius.
The official said the night temperature in Srinagar city was two degrees below the normal for this time of the season and it was the coldest place in Kashmir Valley.
He said the mercury went down by nearly three degrees in Leh, in Ladakh region of the state, from the previous night’s minus 7.9 degrees Celsius, to settle at a freezing minus 10.7 degrees Celsius.
He informed that Jammu recorded the maximum temperature 22.3 degree Celsius and minimum of minus 9.4 degrees Celsius.
“The weather would remain dry during next 24 hours,” he said.