by Mariah Shah
SRINAGAR: After 131 years, the month of March 2022, was confirmed as the warmest month in Srinagar along with other stations across Kashmir. This year, March 29, was the warmest day. The city recorded a mean maximum of 20.7 degrees celsius; the warmest temperature since 2004 and the mean minimum temperature was recorded as 6.7 degrees celsius; the highest since the year 1892.
The data was shared on Twitter by an independent climatologist, Faizan Arif on Twitter. The data further revealed that the overall figure for the month of March this year was 13.7 degrees celsius while it was recorded as 13.65 degrees celsius in 2004, hence showing March exceeding the record set in the year 2004.
Apart from Srinagar, other stations in Kashmir have also registered an increase in temperature. As per the data by the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Qazigund recorded the warmest temperature since 1974, documenting the mean temperature of 12.6 degrees celsius. The mean minimum was recorded as 6.5 degrees celsius in 1975 and 4.8 degrees celsius in 2010, 2021, and 2022.
District Kupwara, according to the data, listed 13.4 degrees celsius this March, which has been the highest mean temperature since 1978. Pahalgam has recorded the highest mean temperature of 9.4 degrees celsius, this March, while the previous highest record was set at 9.7 degrees celsius in 2004. In the same fashion, Kokernag has set it at 12.3 degrees celsius in March this year, while the previous warmest March was 12.6 degrees celsius in 2004.
Kashmir’s famous tourist destination, Gulmarg has 5.5 degrees celsius in the year 2022, while recording 6.7 degrees celsius in 2004.
Observing the temperature in Jammu, the data observed its second warmest temperature since 1982. The mean temperature in Jammu stood at 24.4 degrees celsius, however, this year it has recorded a mean temperature of 23.3 degrees celsius.
Baderwah, recorded the warmest March in 2022 since the year 1985 by recording a mean maximum temperature of 24.6 degrees celsius, lagging behind 24.9 degrees celsius in 2004. Similar to Jammu, Batote observed its second warmest March. The mean temperature was recorded as 16.7 degrees celsius in 2004 and 16.4 degrees celsius this year. On the other hand, March 2004 and March 2022 have registered as the warmest Marches with a mean temperature of 15.4 degrees celsius. Katra also saw the highest temperature since 2004. The mean temperature was recorded as 22.6 degrees celsius in 2004, and 22.0 degrees celsius in 2022.
Conversely, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) had unveiled a seasonal forecast from March to May 2022 beforehand. Accordant with the prediction, Jammu and Kashmir was also on the list of regions to witness a rise in temperature.
The weather outlook said, “along with the country’s northwest and northernmost regions, West and Central India are expected to see above-average daytime temperatures. As a result, states and territories such as Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra may experience more intense summer heat than normal.”
Although, weatherman Sonum Lotus was quoted by a Srinagar-based Urdu newspaper as adding to the fact that the month of March in 2018 was warmer compared to March this year. The highest temperature recorded on March 31, 2018, was 28.3 degrees celsius.
Concurrently, experts across Kashmir have forebodings about the gradual climate change in Jammu and Kashmir. They regard the change as a serious threat to the well-being of the environment.
