Srinagar, June 13: Monsoon has arrived in Jammu and Kashmir, 17-18 days ahead of its schedule this year, officials said on Sunday.

“IMD has declared arrival of Monsoon over J&K and Ladakh today (June 13) which is 17-18 days ahead of normal onset date—30th June or 1st July,” Director Sonam Lotus said. “This Monsoon season, IMD has forecast normal monsoon rain over whole J&K and Ladakh,” he said, adding, “Let’s hope for the best.”

Meanwhile, a meteorological department official here said that Srinagar, the summer capital of J&K, recorded maximum temperature of 28.4 degrees Celsius. While the temperature was 0.4 degrees Celsius below normal, it was six degrees less than previous day.

Jammu, the winter capital of J&K, recorded maximum of 33.4 degrees Celsius against previous day’s 38.0 degrees Celsius, he said.

Qazigund, the gate town of Kashmir, recorded 27.0 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam 24.3 degrees Celsius while Kokernag witnessed 25.9 degrees Celsius, the official said.

The border town Kupwara recorded maximum temperature of 27.8 degrees Celsius, he said.

World famous skiing and tourist resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir was the coldest place in Valley, recording maximum of 17.2 degrees Celsius, the official added.

The weather office has forecast scattered to fairly widespread light to moderate rain and thundershowers in Jammu and Kashmir divisions in next 24 hours.

For next two days, the weatherman has forecast fairly widespread light to moderate rain and thundershowers.

The weather department has also issued ‘yellow warning for “isolated lightning/ thundershowers with gusty wind 30- 40-kmph” for both Jammu and Kashmir divisions till June 15. There are four types of colour codes signifying the level of caution: green which means no action, yellow—situation to be watched), amber –government agencies need to be prepared for severe weather and red –action needed by the agencies.