Weather turned pleasant as strong winds followed by heavy showers brought  the temperature many notches down  much to the delight of the people in most parts of the Kashmir valley, where the Met department had predicted heat wave after the maximum temperature surged several notches above normal.

Srinagar — where people were demanding summer vacations after the hottest day of the season so far was recorded on June 3, when the maximum temperature surged and settled at 35 degrees, eight notches above normal — witnessed a dip in the temperature due to strong winds followed by rain this afternoon.

The Power Development Department (PDD) has also spanned power supply in many areas, including uptown, as a precautionary measure.

The Met department spokesperson had predicted no respite in sight from the unusually high temperatures in the Valley over the next few days.

Former chief minister Omar Abdullah had also said in a tweet, “It certainly feels like a heat wave, declared or undeclared.”

However, a considerable dip was registered in the maximum temperature in the valley, including Srinagar, which recorded 35 degrees, the hottest day of the season so far,  on Sunday. Meanwhile, other places in the valley had also witnessed 6 to 8 degree above normal day temperature in the last couple of days.

After witnessing an average 7 degree above normal maximum temperature during the past couple of days in the summer capital, Srinagar, the day temperature dipped considerably due to heavy rain in the afternoon. “I love it when the met department gets it wrong & we get an unexpected break in the heat wave. The smell of the rain on the hot ground,” Mr Abdullah tweeted.

The maximum temperature at world ski resort of Gulmarg, about 55 km from here in north Kashmir, also turned pleasant much to the delight of the tourists, who are having a time of their lives. “We came from Delhi and it is very hot and humid there these days. When we reached here on Monday, the temperature was very high. But today due to the rain, the  weather has turned pleasantr,” Kanika Mehta, a tourist from Delhi, told UNI.

World famous health resort of Pahalgam, about 100 km from here in south Kashmir, also received rain in the afternoon, resulting in dip in the maximum temperature.

Weather also turned pleasant in other parts of the valley, including Qazigund, gateway to the valley, Kupwara in north Kashmir and tourist resort of Kukernag. (UNI)