Blitz Bureau
UNPRECEDENTED sweltering heat has adversely affected normal life in Kashmir valley with authorities closing schools up to primary classes to protect children from heat stroke and dehydration.
Special prayers for rain, known as ‘Salatul Istisqa,’ were held across all the masjids in the Valley. People became emotional during the congregation prayers, pleading for rainfall to alleviate the harsh conditions affecting agriculture and horticulture.
The maximum temperature was 36.2 degrees Celsius in Srinagar, which was higher than that of the winter capital Jammu where the maximum temperature was 35.1. Towns like Qazigund and Kokernag in Kashmir recorded their all-time highest maximum temperature of 35.6 and 34.1 respectively on Sunday.
Scores of devotees visited the shrine of Kashmir’s patron saint, Sheikh Nooruddin Wali in Charar-eSharief town of Budgam district to offer prayers for rain. While agriculture and horticulture have already suffered huge damages due to water scarcity and drought-like conditions, the potable water supply has also been badly affected due to the heatwave.
