Dry Weather Likely Across J&K For Next 10–12 Days, Favouring Harvesting

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir is likely to experience largely dry weather over the next 10 to 12 days, providing a favourable window for farmers to continue apple harvesting, paddy harvesting, drying, transportation and storage operations, the Meteorological Department said.Director of Meteorological Department Mukhtar Ahmad said weather conditions have remained generally dry in recent days, with warmer days and cooler mornings and evenings. No major weather activity is expected in the coming days.However, a brief weather change is possible around September 14 and 15, when partly to generally cloudy conditions may develop, with thundershowers possible in some areas. The showers are more likely during the late afternoon and evening, though some activity could also occur during the morning.The forecast comes as apple orchards and agricultural fields across Jammu and Kashmir remain busy with seasonal harvesting. Predominantly dry weather is expected to support farmers in harvesting, drying, transporting and safely storing crops and fruit.The rainfall pattern has varied during the current monsoon season. July recorded around 35 per cent above-normal rainfall in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir, while August recorded a rainfall deficit of around 25 per cent.Despite the month-to-month variation, the overall rainfall position remains in the normal category. From June 1 to September 10, rainfall in the Kashmir Valley was around 1 per cent above normal, while Jammu division recorded around 5 per cent above normal rainfall.The Meteorological Department said the predominantly dry conditions expected over the next 10 to 12 days are likely to keep the overall rainfall situation in the below-normal to near-normal range.