Intense heat-wave continues to play havoc in the plains areas of Jammu region for the last couple of days, the Temple City’s temperature touched 44.7 degrees Celsius yesterday, the highest during this season so far. As the Met department has predicted dry weather since June 7 up to at least one week, the severe hot weather conditions, especially in the plain areas of Jammu, Samba and Kathua, have created havoc. Samba town has recorded highest temperature of 46.8 degrees Celsius, Jammu recorded 44.7 degree Celsius which was 5.9 degree above normal, Rajouri recorded 40.2 degree, Poonch record 39.5, Reasi recorded 42.2 degree, Ramban recorded 41.9 degree, Kathua recorded 43.8 degree, Katra recorded 40.6 degree, Bhaderwah recorded 34.4 degree while Kishtwar recorded 33.8 degree Celsius.

The Srinagar day temperature remained 33.9 degrees Celsius, which was about 6 degrees above normal. Qazigund in Kashmir recorded the highest 34.6 degrees Celsius in Kashmir region, about 8 degrees above normal, while Gulmarg recorded a maximum temperature of 24.0 degree, Pahalgam 28.8 degrees, Kupwara 32.8 while Kokernag 32.9 which is about 7 degrees above normal. The MeT official said that up to June 14, the weather will remain hot and dry, while from June 14 late evening or early hours of June 15, the people will have some relief from the heat wave in Jammu and Kashmir. As per the weather expert, the Monsoon is likely to hit Jammu and Kashmir during the last week of June, and the pre-monsoon showers may hit during the third week, but the full-fledged Monsoon has been showing a little delay now, by the end of June or the first week of July. Meanwhile, with the increasing temperature, the power infrastructure, including electric transformers and the cables of the Power Development Department, is getting damaged in Jammu, Kathua and Samba areas. The local authorities urged residents to take precautions, including staying indoors during peak heat hours in the afternoon, drinking plenty of water to prevent dehydration, wearing light, breathable cotton clothing, avoiding strenuous outdoor physical activities in the sun and using hats or umbrellas when stepping out. The vulnerable groups, like children, the elderly and pregnant women, have been asked to take extra precautions.