SRINAGAR: There was a relief for citizens when clouds shielded the Kashmir Valley from the scorching heat on Tuesdayafternoon. Heavy rain accompanied by gusty winds in Kashmir brought respite from the hot spell for the residents, bringing down the day temperature significantly. Heavy rain and gusty winds were reported from many parts of Kashmir where the maximum temperature was mostly eight degrees above normal, officials said. Light to moderate rainfall, accompanied by lightning and thunder, was reported in various parts of the city.
Yesterday, the meteorological department declared a heat wave across Kashmir with Srinagar recording the season's highest temperature of 34.4 degrees Celsius, 8.1 degrees above normal. The MeT department had predicted no relief for the next few days from the scorching heat. The rain came as a pleasant surprise. “The brief rain spell witnessed in some parts of the city in the evening was due to a locally developed system,” said a Met official. The temperature noted a nominal drop of one degree due to this. As the rainfall was sparse, it could not be measured in several parts of the city.