The ongoing heatwave in Jammu and Kashmir is expected to intensify by 2–3 degrees Celsius over the next 48 hours till May 10. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued a yellow alert for rain, thunderstorms and gusty winds from May 11 to May 13.
According to the latest forecast, dry weather conditions will prevail over the next two days, with the heatwave expected to strengthen further. The region experienced sustained wet spells in March and April after witnessing the driest and warmest February in a decade. Despite successive spells of rain and snowfall, J&K continues to face a rainfall deficit of around 24 per cent, which has come down from 54 per cent in February and 34 per cent in March.
Weather patterns in the climate-sensitive Kashmir Valley have shown significant fluctuations in both day and night temperatures. Local residents and tourists have reported feeling higher temperatures, particularly due to the region’s topography and prolonged dry spells.
Experts have pointed to climate change as a major factor behind rising summer temperatures over the past decade. Additionally, deforestation and the rapid expansion of tourist resorts in lesser-known areas are causing significant damage to the region’s flora and fauna.
According to IMD forecasts, a more intense heatwave is likely to sweep the region during July and August due to the lingering effects of a three-year Super El Niño phenomenon.
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