After recording record snowfall in Kashmir, Ist week of February witness deficit rainfall

Srinagar, Feb 13:
After record snowfall breaking the 30 to 40 year old record, the week from January 30 to February 5 recorded deficit rainfall in Jammu and Kashmir, much to the delight of people who are enjoying sunny days though the intensity of the heat remain low due to icy-cold winds. There was also further improvement in the mercury though the 20-day-long ‘Chilai Khurd’ will end on February 20 which will be followed by 10-day-long ‘Chilai Bacha’. However, the 40-day-long ‘Chilai Kalan’, the severest period of winter witnessed heavy snowfall in the valley, including Srinagar, disrupting surface and air traffic for several days. A Meteorological department spokesman said during the week from January 30 to February 5, Jammu and Kashmir recorded 0.8 mm rainfall. The areas, which witnessed 100 per cent departure in rainfall during this week, are Badgam, Baramulla an Shopian in the Kashmir valley. Jammu, Rajouri, Reasi and Udhampur in Jammu region and Leh in Ladakh also witnessed 100 per cent deficit rainfall. However, border district of Kargil in Ladakh Union Territory (UT) recorded almost normal rainfall. There was just five per cent deficit rainfall, he said. Srinagar, after witnessing record snowfall in the month of January, breaking the three decade old record, also witnessed 99 per cent deficit rainfall from January 30 to February 5. Bandipora and Pulwama recorded 97 per cent deficit rainfall while Ramban 96 per cent, Doda 95 per cent, Kulgam 94 per cent and Kupwara 93 per cent deficit rainfall. He said the weather will remain dry during the next five days in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh.