Persistent heatwave grips Kashmir, monsoon brings relief in Jammu

Srinagar, Jun 22: While the southwest monsoon has begun to make its presence felt in parts of Jammu, Kashmir Valley continues to reel under an unrelenting heatwave, with several areas recording significantly above-normal temperatures on Sunday.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has, however, predicted some respite starting Wednesday as monsoon currents are expected to strengthen further.

According to the Meteorological Centre in Srinagar, maximum temperatures across the Kashmir Valley soared well above the seasonal average, exacerbating discomfort for residents and putting pressure on water and electricity supplies.

Temperatures in the weather stations were recorded with Srinagar recording 33.0°C (3.8°C above normal),Qazigund: 31.4°C (4.0°C above normal), Kupwara: 32.6°C (2.9°C above normal), Kokernag: 30.8°C (3.6°C above normal), Gulmarg: 23.0°C (3.0°C above normal) and Pahalgam: 24.0°C (0.8°C below normal).

Srinagar and Qazigund, in particular, have seen day temperatures consistently staying above 32°C for the past week, a rare phenomenon for June in the Valley. Tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam, usually considered cool getaways, have also seen relatively warmer days, reducing the comfort levels for travelers. In contrast, the Jammu region has started receiving monsoon showers, which have brought down temperatures in several parts. Notably, Jammu city recorded a maximum of 33.4°C, which is 4.2°C below normal, thanks to intermittent rains since Saturday.

Temperatures in other stations were recorded with Banihal at 29.2°C (0.1°C above normal), Batote: 28.2°C (0.1°C below normal), Bhaderwah: 30.2°C (0.3°C below normal)and Katra: 32.4°C (2.4°C below normal) Rainfall data recorded over the past 24 hours shows notable precipitation in parts of Jammu, RS Pura: 31 mm, Samba: 20 mm and Pahalgam (Kashmir): 5 mm

According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon has advanced into most parts of Jammu and Kashmir, and the remaining parts of Ladakh as of June 22. The advancement marks a significant shift in weather conditions for the region, which has seen erratic temperature and precipitation patterns this year.

The current spell of heat in Kashmir is attributed to a persistent high-pressure system that has blocked cooler westerly winds and kept the skies clear, allowing for intense solar heating during the day. The Meteorological Department forecasts that moderate to widespread rain may occur across Kashmir from Wednesday onwards, as monsoon currents strengthen. This is expected to bring much-needed relief from the soaring temperatures and improve water availability in reservoirs and rivers.