Srinagar, June 23 -- Heavy rains and hailstorm lashed parts of Kashmir on Monday inundating roads, businesses and causing damage to orchards and vegetable fields. An elderly woman died of electric shock amid the rains when she touched an electric pole in the old city, residents said. Residents said that 65-year-old Shamima died after coming in contact with an electric pole in the Naid Kadal area of Srinagar. She was rushed to a hospital but was declared dead. Police have taken cognisance of the incident, an official said. The weather turned bad in the afternoon in the valley, including in the capital Srinagar, with high intensity hailstorm and rains. Roads, vehicles and shops in many parts of Srinagar particularly its old parts, including Khanyar, Nawhatta Bohri Kadal, Rajouri, Naid Kadal and other areas were inundated with rainwater. Public and private transport struggled to ply through the roads as vehicles were partially inundated in rainwater overflowing the roads. "It was like a flood had hit the old city of Srinagar. Water entered many low lying shops of Old City while vehicles were slowly maneuvering in the inundated roads," said Nusrat Rashid, a Srinagar resident. Another resident said that Bohlajpora in Soura on the city outskirts was also inundated. "I was travelling on a scooty when the rain started and by the time it stopped, the tires of my two wheeler were under water. I had to park it somewhere and travel on foot," said Asim, a private sector employee. The rainfall also affected traffic movement on major roads causing congestion. In areas surrounding Dal Lake, residents said that a hailstorm damaged many vegetable fields. "Many vegetable gardens suffered damage as hails lashed the area for more than half an hour," a resident of Abi Nowpora said. Meanwhile, the weather office has predicted generally dry weather with brief spell of light rain and brief thundershower with gusty winds at few places from June 23-26. "From June 27-29, the weather will be partly cloudy with light rain/brief intense showers/thunder/gusty winds at scattered places," an update by the meteorological centre said. "Brief intense showers may generate flashfloods & mudslides at isolated places. Stay away from Nallas and streams," it said. From June 30 to July 01, fresh spells of rain/thundershower with brief intense heavy showers, thunder and gusty winds are expected at many places. The MeT recommended orchard spraying for early morning hours. The India Meteorological Department (IMD), Shimla, has predicted rainfall in parts of the state till June 28 and has sounded a yellow alert for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds in several districts till June 26. The weather office said that light to moderate rainfall is expected at a few places across the state on June 23, 24, 25 and 26, while light showers are likely at isolated places during the remaining days of the week. MeT department officials on Monday said that maximum temperatures are likely to fall by 2-3degC over many parts of the state during the next 24 hours. Thereafter, no significant change is expected in maximum temperatures over the subsequent 3-4 days. Also, no significant change is expected in minimum temperatures across many parts of the state during the next 4-5 days. For June 23, a yellow alert for thunderstorms, lightning and gusty winds has been sounded in Chamba, Kangra, Kullu and Mandi districts. A similar alert has been issued for these districts as well as Shimla district from June 24 to 26. During the last 24 hours, light to moderate rain was observed at isolated places across the state. The highest rainfall of 22.8 mm was recorded in Jot, followed by Slapper (14.3 mm), Dhaulakuan (9 mm), Bharmour (5 mm), Kukumseri (4.6 mm), Sundernagar (3.6 mm), Sangla (3.2 mm), Manali (3 mm), Shimla (3 mm) and Chopal (2 mm). Thunderstorms and lightning were observed in Sundernagar, Kangra, Shimla, Jot and Murari Devi, while gusty winds were reported in Reckong Peo, Seobagh and Neri. A hailstorm was reported in Shimla. Meanwhile, the average maximum temperatures remained below normal in Himachal Pradesh on Monday. Una was the hottest place in the state, recording a maximum temperature of 35.4degC. Shimla recorded a maximum temperature of 22.8degC, which was 1.9 degrees below normal, while Manali recorded a maximum temperature of 26degC, 1.4 degrees below normal. The maximum temperature in Dharamshala was recorded at 31degC. Below normal temperatures were recorded at several stations in the state, including Sundernagar, Bhuntar, Kalpa, Nahan, Keylong, Solan and Mandi....