Special prayers held for rainfall
Srinagar: With no forecast of any major wet spell in Jammu and Kashmir, the twin places of Kashmir have continued to remain under the tight grip of heat wave while some other parts breathed a sigh of relief today with a dip in the mercy by some degrees on Friday.
Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, has continued to witness heat wave as the mercury settled at 35.2 degree Celsius today, which was 5.3 degree Celsius above normal temperature.
Kokernag, a famous tourist destination also reeled under the heat wave as the mercury settled at 33.1 degree Celsius, which was 5.7 degrees above than the normal temperature.
However, some parts have recorded a dip in the mercury today, ending the heat wave in the areas like Pahalgam, Qazigund, Kupwara and Gulmarg.
In Qazigund, the mercury settled at 32.2 degree Celsius while in Pahalgam, it settled at 29.7 degree Celsius. In Kupwara and Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, the mercury settled at 94.7 degree Celsius and 25.7 degree Celsius respectively.
However, Jammu’s temperature was recorded at par with Srinagar for the second time in this week as the mercury in Jammu City also settled at 35.2 degree Celsius, but it can’t be considered as the heat wave.
Banihal in Jammu division recorded a maximum temperature of 31.2 degree Celsius while Batote, Katra and Bhaderwah recorded a maximum temperature of 29.2 degree Celsius, 33.0 degree Celsius and 32.4 degree Celsius respectively.
Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir has been witnessing a deficient rainfall of 39 per cent so far in the ongoing season from June 01, 2024 to July 24, 2024.
As per the details Srinagar, Shopian, Poonch, Kupwara, Kulgam, Kishtwar, Doda, Bandipora, Budgam and Anantnag have been categorised in the list of large deficient rainfall.
However, Poonch and Shopian have topped the list with the deficit of 83 and 81 per cent respectively.
Srinagar has recorded a deficient rainfall of 67 per cent while other areas have recorded a deficient precipitation of nearly 70 per cent during the period.
Jammu and Samba are the only places where normal precipitation has been recorded during the period, the data revealed.
Four the places including Baramulla, Reasi, Rajouri and Ramban have recorded a deficient rainfall up to 52 per cent, it added.
Meanwhile, special prayers for rain, known as ‘Salatul Istisqa,’ were held here after the Friday prayers. A large gathering of people congregated in the Maloora area on the outskirts of the city to offer these prayers, seeking relief from the drought-like conditions.
Special prayers for rain were conducted during the Friday sermons across all the masjids in the valley. The people became emotional during the congregation prayers, pleading for rainfall to alleviate the harsh conditions affecting agriculture and horticulture.
A local resident exiting a Srinagar masjid said, “It is getting warmer with every passing day. It is getting unbearable now. There is agriculture and horticulture which are drying up. We need rainfall to save our crops.”
In the Maloora area, a large gathering of people participated in the ‘Salatul Istisqa’ prayers, seeking an end to the dry weather conditions. The faithful were seen crying and raising their hands in supplication, asking for respite from the unprecedented dry spell and heat wave.
Abdul Majeed, a local, expressed his concern: “It is a drought-like situation across Kashmir. If it does not rain, what will we eat? Our survival depends on water. Our vegetables, fruits, and paddy fields are turning dry. We pray before Almighty Allah for rain.”
Aijaz Ahmad, another local from Maloora, said that the people organised the special prayer session in an open field as a collective plea for forgiveness and relief from the ongoing heat and drought conditions.
Mirwaiz-e-Kashmir Dr Moulvi Muhammad Umar Farooq, also led heartfelt prayers, as per a statement issued on Friday. He prayed to Allah Almighty for overcoming the current challenges posed by the prolonged drought and extreme heat. (KNO)
