Heavy rains lower temperature in Kashmir

Srinagar, May 16 (UNI) Mercury plummeted by ten degrees in the Kashmir valley today due to last night's heavy rains followed by hailstorm, bringing the much-needed respite to the people from sweltering conditions.

Sudden rains lashed several parts of Jammu and Kashmir after the people had braved the hottest day of this season in the Valley yesterday with the maximum temperature recorded at 32.4 degrees Celsius, about ten degrees above normal.

Due to heavy rains, the maximum temperature across the Kashmir valley went down by almost ten degrees.

The summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir received about eight mm while Jammu and temple town of Katra recorded about 2.1 mm and 6.2 mm rainfall respectively.

The maximum temperature in Srinagar today was recorded at 22.4 degrees Celsius while the minimum stood at 15.2 degrees Celsius, still about seven degrees above normal.

Several crops, including cherry, suffered heavy damage due to the hailstorm in many parts of the Kashmir valley.

UNI