Srinagar records hottest July day in 25 years

Srinagar, July 3: Srinagar experienced sweltering heat on Wednesday with the maximum temperature soaring to 35.6 degrees Celsius, marking it as the highest July temperature recorded in the city since 1999.

This temperature is 6 degrees Celsius above the normal average for this time of the year.

The current reading makes it the 11th highest maximum temperature ever recorded in Srinagar for the month of July.

The all-time highest maximum temperature in Srinagar was 38.3 degrees Celsius, recorded on July 10, 1946.

The last comparable heatwave was on July 9, 1999, when the temperature reached 37 degrees Celsius.

Maximum temperatures across the Kashmir and Jammu also showcased a significant rise.

In Kashmir division, Qazigund registered 34.4 degrees Celsius maximum temperature, Pahalgam 30.2 degrees Celsius, Kupwara 34.5 degrees Celsius, Kokernag 33.3 degrees Celsius, Anantnag 34.1 degrees Celsius, Bandipora 34.5 degrees Celsius, Baramulla: 33.8 degrees Celsius, Sonamarg 29.4 degrees Celsius and Shopian 35.9 degrees Celsius.

In the Jammu division, Jammu city recorded 36.6 degrees Celsius, Banihal 32.6 degrees Celsius, Batote 29.8 degrees Celsius, Bhaderwah 35.6 degrees Celsius, and Kathua 39.6 degrees Celsius.

Kashmir is currently under the grip of a heat wave with day temperatures at various places soaring to record-high, even as some respite is likely ahead this week.

On Tuesday, Srinagar city, at 34.6 degrees Celsius, was hotter than Kolkata, which registered a maximum temperature of 31 degrees Celsius.

The city recorded the season’s hottest day on Tuesday.

On July 18, 2021, the city recorded the highest maximum temperature, 35 degrees Celsius, in July in the last decade.

The maximum temperature recorded on Tuesday at most places in Kashmir was around five degrees above the normal.

Srinagar city’s maximum temperature was five degrees above the normal for this time of the year.

The officials said that the frontier Kupwara town in north Kashmir also registered a maximum of 34.6 degrees Celsius, while Qazigund, in south Kashmir, recorded 34 degrees Celsius.

The Meteorological Department said that hot and humid weather would continue with some respite on Thursday as an intermittent spell of light to moderate rain or thundershower is possible at many places.

From July 5 to 6, there is a possibility of intermittent moderate rainfall at many places of J&K with heavy spells at a few places.

There are chances of light rainfall on July 7, the MeT office said.

However, it said hot and humid weather is likely from July 8 to 10.