Srinagar, June 25, KNT: While some parts of uptown Srinagar experienced rainfall on Wednesday morning, providing much-needed relief from the sweltering heat, large swathes of the city, including the city centre Lal Chowk, remained dry, leaving many residents disappointed and frustrated.
The brief spell of rain fell over isolated localities such as Rawalpora, Hyderpora, Chanapora, Mehjoor Nagar, Padshahi Bagh and Natipora. The showers, though not heavy, were enough to cool the air and temporarily break the oppressive heatwave that had gripped the Valley for days. Locals in these areas said the temperature dropped noticeably after the rain, bringing a sense of calm to what had otherwise been stifling mornings.
“It felt like the sky finally showed some mercy. Even this amount of rain was a huge relief,” said Altaf Ahmad, a resident of Jawahar Nagar.
However, the situation was quite different in Lal Chowk, and several other central and northern parts of Srinagar, where the skies remained overcast but no rain fell. Residents and shopkeepers in these areas voiced their discontent, saying the intense humidity, coupled with rising temperatures, has made daily life difficult.
“There is no power, no rain, and the heat is unbearable. It’s frustrating to see other areas get relief while we suffer,” said a vendor.
The heat over the past several days has caused widespread discomfort across the Valley, especially in areas lacking green cover or adequate ventilation. With temperatures hovering above normal, many people have reported headaches, fatigue, and disrupted sleep. Traders in congested markets like Maisuma and Hari Singh High Street said footfall has declined as people avoid venturing out during peak hours.
The selective rainfall also drew attention to Srinagar’s unique microclimate, where neighbouring areas often experience drastically different weather conditions. Officials from the Meteorological Department acknowledged the scattered nature of Wednesday’s rainfall and said such patterns are typical during summer months. [KNT]
