While the most parts of India are still reeling under intense heatwave conditions, fresh snowfall in the upper reaches of Kashmir valley including Gurez, Peer Ki Gali and Zanskar area of Ladakh has brought much-needed respite to the residents in the state. It was after a long time that the upper reaches of Kashmir received snowfall in the month of June. The day temperature in the city plummeted by over several notches after high altitude areas experienced light snowfall, while lower reaches received rain.

Meanwhile, the MeT has issued fresh rainfall warning across the valley, which had been reeling under scorching summer conditions for the past week. Weatherman forecast rains and gusty winds in most places in Kashmir and Jammu divisions in the next 24 hours. The places which have been witnessing downpour from the last 48 hours in the state include - Srinagar, Qazigund, Palgham, Kokernag, Anantnag, Shalimar, Sopore, Gulmarg, Kupwara, Budgam, Khudwani, Ramban, Banihal, Batote, Katra, Soda 20, Kathua, Poonch and Dras among others.

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#VIDEO | When the whole country is reeling under heat wave, the upper reaches of #Kashmir valley like Gurez, Peer Ki Gali have received fresh snowfall. Watch video!

READ:https://t.co/mVyeSmaQj1 pic.twitter.com/AAWv1dozGq

— News Nation (@NewsNationTV) June 12, 2019

Director Meteorological department Sonam Lotus, in a statement, said, "Moderate Rain with thunderstorm and lightning accompanied by gusty winds of the order of 30-40 kmph are most likely to occur at most districts of Kashmir, Poonch, Rajouri,  Ramban-Banihal, Reasi, and some districts of plains of Jammu region and incessant light rain in Kargil and western parts of Leh District during next 12 hours".

"Passengers and drivers enroute Zojila and Ramban-Banihal axis are requested to be very careful of landslide and shooting stones," Lotues stated, adding that the weather condition in the velley is expected to improve in the next few days.

Several parts of the country continued to reel under sweltering heat with mercury crossing the 45-degree mark. Rajasthan's Churu remained the hottest place in the country at 53 degrees Celsius followed by 46.2 degrees in Sriganganagar, 45.9 degrees in Kota and 45.1 degrees Celsius in Bikaner. Barmer and Jaisalmer also recorded maximum temperatures above 44 degrees Celsius.

In the national capital, Safdarjung observatory recorded a high of 44.5 degrees Celsius, five notches above the season's average. The weatherman, however, has forecast thunderstorm or dust storm leading to slight rain in the city over the next few days.