Temperature above normal in Kashmir

Srinagar, Jul 8: With no sign of monsoon coupled with water shortage and power curtailment, the heat wave affected normal life after both the minimum and maximum temperatures went up by several degrees from normal.

However, temperature was near normal in the hill stations and other tourist resorts, much to the delight of tourists and locals.

Weatherman predicts no repite from the heat wave conditions for next two-days.

A spokesman for the India Meteorological Department (IMD) told sources that last night was the hottest so far with a minimum temperature of 23.7 degrees Celsius, seven degrees above normal in the city.

Srinagar yesterday recorded the hottest day of this season so far with temperature soaring at 35.5 degree Celsius which was above five degree above normal.

This has broken the previous record of 33.5 degree Celsius, itnessed twice this season first on July two and then yesterday, but nearly four degrees less than the highest ever recorded on July 15, 1973 when the temperature went up to 39.5 degree Celsius.

The spokesman said though there were no rains, the maximum temperature at world famous tourist resort of Pahalgam was near normal.

Light rains occurred at different places en route the Amarnath Cave shrine, he said adding there were also some rains in the periphery of the holy shrine.

He said the monsoon entered the state on June wih rainfall on the other side of the Pirpanchal range.

There were reports about rainfall in Katra, base camp of the holy shrine of Vaishno Devi.

He said Western disturbances, mainly responsible for good monsoon in the state, have also changed directions and left for Chinese region.

Meanwhile, daily power curtailment of more than six hours has added to the difficulties of people here.

People took to the streets at different places protesting against water shortage, accusing government to have failed to provide drinking water.

They said depiste spending crores of Rupees on different water plants and other schemes, reports of water shortage have been received from almost all parts of the valley, particularly in the Sriangar city.

UNI