Srinagar: After hot and dry weather for about two months, rain finally brings relief in the Kashmir valley, where people pray in mosques and other Holy places for ‘ Rehmat Baraan’ (rain) after Friday prayers.
It is general belief in Kashmir that weather changes after the last darshan at Holy Amarnath cave shrine in south Kashmir Himlayas, which concluded on August 2.
The dry and hot weather had affected fruit and other standing crops, particularly paddy, in the Kashmir Valley after fields had turned dry.
However, special ‘ Dua’ (prayers) was offered in all mosques and other shrines across the Kashmir valley for rains.
Reports said majority areas in south Kashmir, including Pampore on Srinagar-Jammu national highway, received very heavy rains late last night.
It was intermittently raining in almost all parts of the valley since early this morning, much to the relief of people.
There was 57 mm less rainfall since June 1 till August 2 in Srinagar.
Interestingly this summer the water level in river Jhelum remained almost normal, mainly the heavy snowfall on upper reaches during the winter which was now melting.
However, due to failure of majority Water Supply Schemes (WSS) most areas in the Kashmir valley faced drinking water shortage, evoking daily protests and clashes between residents and police.
