The Jammu region, reeling under extreme heat and humidity, is likely to get relief this week with pre-monsoon showers expected on July 2.
According to the meteorological department, if there are substantial pre-monsoon rains upto July 5, then monsoon can hit the region on July 6.
June has been abnormally hot and humid this year in the region with temperature hovering around 40 degrees Celsius for most part of the month without any spell of local rains. The pre-monsoon showers which normally hit the Jammu region by mid-June were also missing this year.
The meteorological department said one of the major reasons for a dry June was weak western disturbance activities which usually start moving from the north-west frontier region of Pakistan. They get some moisture in the Kashmir region resulting in rains, which is missing in Jammu as it is mainly dry. Monsoon usually hits Jammu region by July 1, but the department said if it is active by the first week of July, it can't be termed as delayed activity.