SRINAGAR: Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 35.2°C on Thursday, the highest for June in the last 20 years. The previous record was 36.5°C, observed on June 25, 2005. The all-time highest June temperature in the city remains 37.8°C, recorded on June 29, 1978.
Qazigund recorded a maximum temperature of 34.7°C , the highest for June since 1988. This is Qazigund’s third-highest June temperature on record. The second highest was 35.3°C on June 27, 1988, and the all-time highest was 35.7°C on June 26, 1988.
Pahalgam reported 29.6°C, exceeding the normal by 5.5°C. Kupwara recorded 33.1°C, 2.1°C above normal, and Gulmarg saw 25.9°C, 3.5°C above normal.
In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded 36.5°C, which is 1.6°C below the normal for the day. Banihal reported 30.6°C (1.9°C above normal), Batote 28.2°C (0.4°C above normal), Bhaderwah 31.6°C (1.2°C above normal), and Katra 33.1°C, which was 2.0°C below the average.
In Ladakh, Leh recorded a maximum of 26.4°C, 1.8°C above normal. Data for Kargil was not available at the time of filing this report.
According to the Meteorological Department, Jammu and Kashmir has recorded a 26 per cent rainfall deficit in the ongoing month till June 18. Against the normal precipitation of 39.7 mm, only 29.5 mm of rainfall has been recorded over the past 18 days.
The highest deficits were reported in Samba and Kathua districts at 72 per cent and 62 per cent, respectively. Other districts with rainfall shortfalls include Srinagar, Budgam, Baramulla, Bandipora, Ganderbal, Kishtwar, Kulgam, Poonch, Reasi, Shopian, and Udhampur. Rajouri recorded excess rainfall, while Anantnag, Doda, Jammu, Kupwara, and Ramban registered normal precipitation levels.
Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif Keng said the heatwave is expected to persist for the next three days, with maximum temperatures in Srinagar likely to remain above 35°C.
On Wednesday, maximum temperatures in other parts of Kashmir were: Qazigund 31.4°C, Pahalgam 27.0°C, Kokernag 30.8°C, Kupwara 30.5°C, and Gulmarg 22.8°C. In the Jammu division, temperatures remained below normal, with Jammu city recording 37.6°C, Banihal 29.4°C, Batote 27.8°C, Katra 35.2°C, and Bhaderwah 30.8°C.
The MeT Department has forecast generally dry weather across the Union Territory until June 20, with the possibility of brief spells of rain, thundershowers, and gusty winds at isolated places. Between June 21 and 22, many areas may experience cloudy skies and intermittent rain with thundershowers.
Dry conditions are expected to return on June 23 and 24, followed by generally cloudy weather and light to moderate rainfall from June 25 to 27.
The department has advised farmers to continue agricultural activities till June 20. It has also issued a warning for June 21 and 22, forecasting moderate to heavy rainfall in parts of the Jammu division, which may trigger flash floods, landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones at vulnerable spots.
