Srinagar: Parts of Kashmir Valley including summer capital Srinagar witnessed intense heat on Thursday as the maximum temperature surged past 35°C in Srinagar marking the hottest June day in nearly two decades while weatherman predicts continues heatwave for next three dyas.
Independent weatherman Faizan Arif told news agency JKNS, that Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 35.2°C, which is 6.8°C above normal. This is the highest June temperature since June 25, 2005, when the mercury had touched 36.5°C. The all-time highest June temperature for Srinagar remains 37.8°C, recorded on June 29, 1978.
Across south Kashmir, Qazigund recorded 34.7°C (7.6°C above normal), At 34.7°C, Qazigund has recorded the highest June temperature since 1988; this is the third all-time June temperature for Qazigund
The second all-time highest temperature stands at 35.3°C recorded on 27 June 1988 and the all-time highest temperature is 35.7°C recorded on 26 June 1988, he said.
At 33.8°C, Kokernag has recorded the 2nd all-time highest June temperature ever, 33.8°C was also recorded on 29 June 1999. The all-time highest temperature stands at 34.9°C recorded on 25 June 2005.
Similarly, Pahalgam recorded 29.6°C which is (5.5°C AN). Kupwara in north Kashmir reported 33.1°C (2.1°C AN), while the hill resort of Gulmarg recorded 25.9°C (3.5°C AN).
In the Jammu region, the city of Jammu recorded 36.5°C, surprisingly 1.6°C below normal. Banihal saw 30.6°C (1.9°C AN), Batote 28.2°C (0.4°C AN), Bhaderwah 31.6°C (1.2°C AN), and Katra 33.1°C (2.0°C below normal), Faizan said.
In Ladakh, Leh recorded a maximum temperature of 26.4°C, which was 1.8°C above normal. No data was available for Kargil, he added.
Faizan said that “temperatures in Kashmir Region are going to stay above normal for the next 3 days at least and in some areas can stay above normal by 5 – 7°C.”
He added that, “No major relief is expected. Heatwave to continue for the next three days. However, monsoon showers may affect a few parts of Kashmir as well in the coming days bringing relief to some areas.” (JKNS)
