J&K braces for rain, thunder, gusty winds from today

Saqib Rather

Srinagar, May 2: A fresh spell of unstable weather is set to grip Jammu and Kashmir over the coming days, with the Meteorological Department forecasting rain, thunderstorms, and strong winds across several regions of the Union Territory.

According to officials, Saturday will see scattered light rainfall and thundershowers, particularly during the afternoon hours, accompanied by brief spells of gusty winds. However, conditions are expected to intensify over the weekend.

“From May 3 to May 4, the weather will remain largely cloudy, with intermittent light to moderate rainfall at many places,” said Dr. Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Department. “There is also a possibility of thunderstorms, hailstorms, and wind speeds reaching up to 40–50 kmph in isolated areas.”

The department has cautioned that these conditions could disrupt daily life, particularly in parts of Central and North Kashmir, as well as sections of the Jammu division.An advisory has been issued urging residents to remain vigilant. “People should avoid taking shelter near weak structures, electric poles, and overhead wires during gusty conditions,” Dr. Ahmad warned. “We are also advising against boating and shikara operations during afternoon and evening hours on May 3 and 4 as a precautionary measure.”

Farmers have been specifically alerted to the potential risks posed by the weather. “Agricultural activities should be temporarily suspended between May 3 and 5 to prevent losses due to hailstorms or strong winds,” an official from the department added.Looking ahead, the weather is expected to gradually stabilize. May 5 may still witness brief afternoon showers at scattered locations, but conditions are likely to improve significantly from May 6 onwards, with mostly dry weather prevailing through the following week.

“While isolated light rain cannot be ruled out between May 6 and 9, overall weather patterns will shift towards stability,” Dr. Ahmad noted. “From May 10 to 12, the region is expected to experience largely dry conditions.”

Authorities have advised residents to stay updated with official forecasts and take necessary precautions as the region navigates this period of unsettled weather.