SRINAGAR: In an unusual weather twist, Jammu and Kashmir is experiencing extreme temperature fluctuations this January, breaking longstanding records on both ends of the spectrum.
Banihal, on Thursday, reported a maximum temperature of 23.4 degrees Celsius, a staggering 13.1 degrees Celsius above the normal January norms. This anomaly has shattered the previous all-time high of 22.6°C recorded on January 18, 2003.
In a stark contrast within the same region, Jammu City is witnessing unexpected lows in temperature. Today, it recorded a maximum temperature of 8.6 degrees Celcius, marking the 5th all-time lowest maximum temperature in January. This is 9.3 degrees Celsius below the normal level, with the all-time lowest maximum temperature recorded at 5°C in 1986.
The unprecedented rise in temperatures has raised alarms not just for Banihal but across the entire Jammu and Kashmir region. Concerns loom over the reduced snowfall and warmer days, potentially leading to a decline in glacier volumes – critical water sources for the region’s rivers and streams.
The unusual temperature surge in Banihal aligns with a broader trend of rising temperatures observed in various parts of the Kashmir Valley. Notable locations like Srinagar, Pahalgam, Qazigund, Kokernag, Kupwara, and Gulmarg have all reported unusually high temperatures. In Srinagar, the mercury settled at 15.8 degrees Celsius, registering a substantial 4.7 degrees Celsius above the usual temperature for this time of the year.
