8 forest fires in Kashmir, 50 in Jammu during last 24 hours

SRINAGAR — As per the satellite images by Fire Information for Resource Management System (FIRMS), a joint effort by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the USDA Forest Service, there were 8 forest fires in Kashmir and nearly 50 in Jammu region during the last 24 hours.

As per the available details, most of the forest fires are still in an active status.

It is pertinent to mention here that during the last 15 days, J-K witnessed more than 100 forest fires.

Experts say the main reason can be the ongoing dry spell. However, the forest fires may come down as some rain activity is expected in the coming days.

J&K recorded 80% rain deficit in March this year: MeT

Meanwhile, Jammu and Kashmir received large deficient rain (<-80%) due to the absence of any strong western disturbance, a meteorological department official said.

“Jammu city received only 2.1 mm against normal of 68 mm (96%) and Srinagar city received 21.3 mm of rainfall as against normal of 117.6 mm (81.88%).” This is not the first time that below normal rainfall was recorded in J&K, he said.

“As a result of the absence of any strong western disturbance and stable atmosphere, the weather remained fair and mainly clear on most occasions which led to early onset of Spring and above normal temperature compared to last few years,” he said in a statement.

He said the mean temperature in Jammu city in March this year was 23.3 ℃ which is quite high but not unusual as the mean temperature even touched 24 ℃ in 2004 and 2010. “Mean temperature in Srinagar city in March 2022 was 13.7 ℃ which is quite high but not unusual as mean temperature touched 13.6 and 13.7 ℃ in 2004 and 2010 also in Srinagar,” he said.

The weatherman has also forecast a brief spell of light rain on April 13 and 14 at scattered places.