Record-Breaking Night Temperatures, Heatwave Grip Valley Ahead of Heavy Monsoon Rains

SRINAGAR: Kashmir is in the grip of a relentless heatwave, with night temperatures hitting historic highs across the Valley, even as the daytime mercury surged past 35°C in multiple districts on Friday. The intense heat spell is expected to give way to heavy monsoon showers from Sunday, triggering concerns of flash floods, landslides, and waterlogging, according to the Meteorological Department.

In Srinagar, the minimum temperature touched 24.5°C, marking the fourth highest ever recorded in July. The only hotter nights in the city’s recorded history were on July 21, 1988 (25.2°C), July 29, 2024 (24.8°C) and July 28, 2024 (24.6°C).

Further south, Qazigund set a new record with a minimum temperature of 23.4°C, breaking its previous July record of 22.8°C set back in 1997. The once-pleasant retreat of Pahalgam recorded 20.0°C, its second-highest July night temperature, just below the all-time high of 20.2°C in 2013.

In Kokernag, another popular spot in south Kashmir, the minimum temperature stood at 21.8°C, also the second-highest for the month, trailing only behind 22.6°C recorded on July 2, 2005.

The persistent night-time warmth is being compounded by extreme daytime heat. Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 35.3°C on Friday, just shy of the season’s highest — 35.5°C on June 24. In Kupwara, temperatures touched 35.4°C, further stretching the heat stress in north Kashmir.

According to the MeT centre in Srinagar, Saturday will remain hot and humid, with a possibility of light to moderate rain or thunderstorms late in the night or early morning. However, the real shift in weather is expected to begin Sunday (July 6).

“From July 6 to 8, generally cloudy skies with intermittent moderate to heavy showers are likely at many places across Kashmir and Jammu divisions,” the MeT warned in its latest bulletin. Some areas, especially in Jammu division, may experience intense rainfall.

An advisory has been issued for flash floods, landslides, mudslides, and shooting stones in vulnerable zones. “There are chances of rising water levels in rivers and streams, along with waterlogging in low-lying areas,” the advisory cautioned.

Farmers have been advised to suspend irrigation and field operations during this period to avoid damage from the heavy rainfall.

The spell of rain is expected to ease slightly on July 9-10, with light to moderate rain continuing at scattered places. The period between July 11-12 is likely to witness hot and humid weather with brief showers at some locations.

The sudden transition from scorching heat to potentially dangerous downpours has put both residents and the administration on alert. Authorities have urged people in hill areas and near water bodies to stay cautious during the rain spell.