Srinagar, July 7 -- Torrential rains drenched Kashmir valley on Monday bringing some momentary relief in the hot weather conditions prevailing in the Himalayan region for the past more than a month.

The rains started in the afternoon in parts of Pahalgam in South Kashmir, Srinagar in Central Kashmir and Handwara in North Kashmir. However, by late evening heavy rains lashed most parts of the valley, including northern Baramulla district and majority of the city.

"The rains have brought a welcome relief from the intense hot weather in Kashmir. At many places people came out to drench in the rains even though the intensity of the rains was so severe," said Arif Ahmad, a resident of Srinagar.

There were hailstorms and gusty winds in variou...