Temperature soars in Kashmir

Srinagar, Apr 16 (UNI) The temperature in the Kashmir valley has been soaring with each passing day as the maximum stood at 29.0 degrees Celsius today.

This was also the highest of the season so far.

During the past few days, the maximum temperature recorded in the Valley was more than 28 degrees Celsius, and yesterday it was 28.6 degrees Celsius.

However, the minimum stood at 10.1 degrees Celsius.

The highest ever temperature recorded in Kashmir during April was on April 20, 1946 when the mercury rose to 31.1 degrees Celsius, Indian Meteorological Department (IMD-Jammu and Kashmir) Director N P Bhatnagar told UNI here.

On April 30, 1999, the maximum temperature was recorded at 30.2 degrees Celsius while it stood at 28.7 degrees Celsius on April 28, 1993, he added.

Mr Bhatnagar attributed the rising temperature to the inactive western disturbances and their less moisture content. The westerly winds that generate from the Mediterranean travel from Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan to reach here via Pakistan, he added.

Mr Bhatnagar said due to the wind direction, the western disturbances pass above the Valley to cross over to China.

''That is why the plains received less rainfall in March-April while the upper reaches experienced normal rains and snowfall during the period,'' he added.

The highest ever maximum temperature recorded in the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir during the past 80 years was on June 29, 1978 when the mercury had gone up to 37.8 degree Celsius.

UNI