Heatwave grips Kashmir

Srinagar, Sep 24: Kashmir continues to register record temperatures with Srinagar recording 33.7 degrees Celsius on Tuesday, the highest in over a decade for this time of year, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said.

This is the second-highest maximum temperature recorded here during September since 2014.

A heatwave for mountainous areas like Kashmir is issued when maximum temperatures are above 30 degrees Celsius or there is a departure from normal, which is between 4.5 degrees Celsius to 6.4 degrees Celsius.

The normal average temperature for September in Srinagar stands at 19.1 degrees Celsius while it gets as high as around 24.6 degrees Celsius in certain parts of Kashmir.

But this time around, the temperatures have gone haywire, being consistent at over 33 degrees Celsius, and the IMD forecast predicts no respite for at least another week.

This heat wave indicates dire times not only for the residents but is likely to impact Kashmir's agriculture, particularly its apple crop which generates much of Kashmir’s economy.

Cash crops like apples are highly prone to vagaries of weather and this scorching heat along with parched conditions may take a toll on production.

Apple cultivation in Kashmir is a mainstay of its economy, accounting for more than 70 percent of Indian apple output.

What’s worse is that this utterly hot and dry weather has aggravated water scarcity further, making rivers, streams, and tributaries dry up almost at alarming rates all over Kashmir.

Jhelum River, which passes through Srinagar city, is already on its way down, and the fear of a full-blown environmental disaster looms large.

“This is a severe heatwave condition as per the IMD’s criteria,” senior Meteorologist, Sonam Lotus said. “Such conditions are quite on the severe side.”

Srinagar on September 22 recorded 33.8 degrees Celsius, 7 degrees above normal for this time of the year.

The Meteorological Department has issued advisories for citizens to rehydrate themselves in addition to advice to steer clear of excessive sunshine exposure for children and elderly citizens.

“Every year, maximum temperatures in September go as high as 31 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius on certain days, which is normal,” Lotus said. “This year the situation is exceptional as the temperature is beyond 33 degrees Celsius, and it is a severe heatwave.”

The IMD has forecast that the heatwave will prevail for the week ahead.

“Mainly hot and dry weather is likely to continue up to September 26, though relief might come in on September 27 and 28 with a Western Disturbance that might precipitate light rain and clouds. However, heavy rains are not expected,” Lotus said.

The protracted dry spell in summer and early fall has only added to the stress on J&K’s water resources, with experts cautioning that even the forecasted Western Disturbance might not bring enough rain to quell the water crisis.