Heatwave grips Kashmir

Srinagar, Sep 22: A severe heatwave gripped parts of Kashmir, with Srinagar recording its all-time second-highest September temperature of 33.8 degrees Celsius on Sunday.

Data provided by Kashmir Weather said that today’s maximum temperature in Srinagar reached 33.8 degrees Celsius, a departure of 6.4 degrees Celsius from normal.

This reading is only second to the all-time highest temperature of 35 degrees Celsius recorded on September 18, 1934.

Notably, Srinagar had also recorded 33.8 degrees Celsius on September 1, 1970.

In Qazigund, the temperature soared to 32.8 degrees Celsius, marking the highest September temperature ever recorded in the area.

This reading matches previous records set on September 12, 2019, and September 8, 1988, with a departure of 6.5 degrees Celsius from normal, it said.

Other areas in Kashmir also experienced unusually high temperatures, including Kupwara at 32.3 degrees Celsius, Pahalgam at 29 degrees Celsius, Kokarnag at 31.6 degrees Celsius, Gulmarg at 24.5 degrees Celsius, Kulgam at 32.7 degrees Celsius, Budgam at 32.6 degrees Celsius, Shopian at 33.8 degrees Celsius, Anantnag at 32.7 degrees Celsius, Pulwama at 31.8 degrees Celsius, Bandipora at 32.1 degrees Celsius, and Baramulla at 31.1 degrees Celsius.

The weatherman has predicted hot and dry weather with above-normal temperatures in J&K till September 25 and scattered to fairly widespread rains on September 26 and 27.