Snowfall Lashes Higher Reaches of Jammu Kashmir as Rain, Hailstorms Batter Plains A fresh western disturbance brought heavy rain, thunderstorms, gusty winds, and hailstorms to several parts of Jammu and Kashmir on Thursday, while snowfall was reported in the Apharwat hills of Gulmarg and other elevated regions of north Kashmir. Weather officials attributed the erratic weather to above-normal temperatures that persisted across the Union Territory earlier in the day. The Meteorological Centre in Srinagar noted that intense showers, lightning, and thunderstorms occurred during the afternoon and evening, with localized flash floods and mudslides warned in vulnerable areas. The Met Centre issued a nowcast warning earlier in the day, highlighting the risk of hailstorms, lightning, and strong winds in districts such as Kulgam, Shopian, Rajouri, Ramban, Reasi, Udhampur, Doda, and Kishtwar. It also cautioned about potential flash floods due to short-duration, heavy rainfall. A lightning strike in Sazaan village triggered a forest fire in pine-covered regions, though no casualties were reported. Authorities advised residents to stay indoors during thunderstorms, avoid electric poles, loose structures, overhead wires, and old trees. Boating and shikara activities on Dal Lake and other water bodies were suspended during adverse weather conditions. Temperatures remained above seasonal averages across most regions. Srinagar recorded a maximum of 31.5°C, 3.5°C above normal, with a minimum of 18.5°C, 3.9°C higher than the seasonal average. Qazigund saw temperatures of 30.2°C and 16.4°C, both above normal, while Pahalgam registered 25.9°C and Kupwara 30.2°C. Gulmarg, typically the coldest tourist destination, had a maximum of 21.6°C. In the Jammu region, Jammu city was the hottest at 41.8°C, 3°C above normal, followed by Katra at 38.#srinagar #gulmarg #jammu_kashmir #met_centre #dal_lake
