Weather turns pleasant after hot & humid conditions in Kashmir

Srinagar, Aug 2 : After witnessing hot and humid conditions during past about a month, weather turned pleasant due to rain and overcast conditions since the last 24 hours much to the delight of the people in the Valley. However, in some areas, particularly in north Kashmir district of Bandipora, a number of water bodies are overflowing inundating several localities. A Met department spokesperson told  that light to moderate rain and thundershowers would occur at many places over the state during the next 48 hours. World famous ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, received light to moderate rain since late last night, resulting in dip in the mercury. “Since late last night, the weather has turned pleasant. Despite intermittent rain, the tourists are out on the lush green slops – enjoying horse riding, besides other activities. But, they get disappointing on hearing that Gulmarg Gondola is still grounded from last one month,” a hotelier told  over the phone. People in this summer capital woke up to a cloudy and pleasant morning after mercury marginally dipped during the night due to overnight rain though the minimum temperature was still about 2 degree above normal. The day temperature also dipped due to overcast conditions and rain in the city, where people remained indoor due to general strike called by separatists. The spokesperson said that the sky will be partly cloudy during the next 24 hours in Srinagar, where the maximum and minimum temperatures will be around 31 degree and 20 degree. People could be seen watching water level in river Jehlum which was still several feet below normal. Day temperatures at Qazigund, tourist resort Kukernag and Kupwara in north Kashmir also dipped due to overcast conditions and rain. Meanwhile, the maximum and minimum temperatures at world famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, also dipped due to rain since last night. However, pilgrimage to holy Amarnath cave shrine was progressing smoothly. “It has been raining intermittently since last, resulting in a pleasant weather. But, tourists are enjoying many activities, including river rafting, in Pahalgam,” a hotelier told  over the phone. The Kashmir Tourist Department is organizing a first of its kind rafting marathon in Pahalgam in order to increase the foothold of tourists. UNI