Scorching Summer Triggers Unprecedented Demand for Cooling Appliances in Kashmir

Srinagar, July 3: Kashmir, often synonymous with snow-clad mountains and crisp, cool weather, is experiencing a climatic shift this summer—one that has taken both residents and markets by surprise. With temperatures soaring well above seasonal averages and a prolonged dry spell stretching into weeks, there has been an unprecedented surge in the demand for cooling appliances across the Valley.

From ceiling fans and air coolers to refrigerators and air conditioners, products that were once considered unnecessary or luxury items in Kashmir are now flying off store shelves. Retailers are struggling to keep up with the demand, and customers are reporting delays, limited stock, and even rising prices.

“This is something we’ve never seen before. Earlier, we would barely sell a dozen fans in an entire summer. Today, people are coming in asking for inverter ACs and double-door refrigerators. Our entire stock of coolers was sold out within ten days in June,"  said *Mohammad Yaqoob, who runs an electronics showroom in Srinagar’s Bemina locality.

According to local appliance dealers, the demand has more than doubled compared to previous years, particularly in urban areas like Srinagar, Anantnag, Baramulla, and Sopore. But rural pockets too are catching up.

Tariq Lone, a wholesale dealer in Nowhatta, said he has placed emergency restocking orders with suppliers from Delhi and Chandigarh. “We never imagined we’d have to restock coolers and ACs mid-season in Kashmir. Even deep freezers, which usually pick up around Eid, are selling steadily because people want to store water bottles, fruits, and perishables.”

Consumers, who until recently saw no need for cooling appliances, are now treating them as essential.

“This summer is nothing like I remember,” said Shabir Ahmad, a Srinagar resident “My room is on the second floor and it feels like a furnace by noon. I had to buy two pedestal fans and a cooler for my kids. Otherwise, they couldn’t sleep at night.”

Nahida Jan, a homemaker from downtown Srinagar, shared similar concerns. “We never needed fans, let alone coolers. But now I’ve bought a table fan and a mini freezer just to cope. The vegetables go bad quickly, and I keep water bottles ready at all times.”

Retailers are also witnessing a change in customer preferences. Products with inverter technology, energy efficiency ratings, and backup compatibility are in high demand due to Kashmir’s frequent power cuts during summer.

“There’s a growing preference for inverter ACs and solar-compatible coolers,” said Farooq Ahmed, who manages a multi-brand electronics store in Lal Chowk. “We’re even getting queries about portable solar fans and battery-backed coolers—something unheard of in the Valley just a couple of years ago.”

This shifting trend is not just a market story—it’s a climate story. Experts warn that the Valley’s weather patterns are changing, and consumer habits are beginning to reflect that.

The summer of 2025 has already recorded higher-than-normal temperatures, with Srinagar, Kupwara, and Anantnag regularly touching 34–35°C.

The impact of the heatwave is also being felt in power consumption and water usage. The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) reported a 25% increase in electricity demand, particularly during peak hours. Meanwhile, several areas are grappling with water shortages, further exacerbating discomfort.

With no immediate relief in sight from the weather department, dealers expect the demand for cooling appliances to continue rising through July. Many are already preparing for what could become a permanent fixture in Kashmir’s evolving consumer landscape—a thriving summer market for cooling solutions.

“In a few years, ACs and coolers might be as common in Kashmiri homes as kangris and heaters are in winter,” said dealer Irshad Ahmad with a wry smile. “Looks like Kashmiris now need to brace not just for the chill of Chilai Kalan, but also for the scorch of summer.”