A severe heatwave has gripped Jammu and Kashmir, pushing day and night temperatures well above normal and prompting health advisories across the region.
Srinagar recorded 33.3 degrees Celsius on Monday, which is 5.3 degrees above the normal temperature this year. On the other hand, Jammu recorded 44.3 degrees Celsius — 4.7 degrees above normal at this time of the year.
The intense weather conditions are not limited to the two major cities alone; areas where temperatures usually hovered below normal are also witnessing steep increases in mercury.
As per Met Jammu and Kashmir, Qazigund in south Kashmir was the hottest at 33.6 degrees Celsius — an alarming 6.8 degrees Celsius above normal.
Pahalgam, typically known for its cool summer weather, recorded 28.7 degrees Celsius — 4.8 degrees Celsius higher than usual.
Other places witnessing high temperatures include Kupwara at 32.5 degrees Celsius, Kokernag at 30.8 degrees Celsius, and even the hill station Gulmarg, which recorded 23.0 degrees Celsius — 4.3 degrees Celsius above normal.
“This is an intense and widespread heat spell,” said weather expert Faizan Arif. “Such anomalies are becoming more frequent in Kashmir’s summer patterns, and people should take necessary precautions.”
The situation is even worse in the Jammu division, where temperatures are crossing 40 degrees in the initial days of June, with experts hinting at hotter days in the coming days.
Heatwave persisted in the Jammu region on Monday, with Samba recording the highest maximum temperature of 46.6 degrees Celsius, while Jammu city touched 44.3 degrees Celsius, MeT officials said.
Also read: Yellow alert in Delhi as heat soars, mercury may cross 45°C
The Jammu region has been experiencing extreme heatwave conditions for the past four days. Today, five districts recorded temperatures above the 40-degree mark, they said.
Katra, which also serves as base camp for Mata Vaishno Devi, recorded 40.2 degrees Celsius. Batote, Banihal, and Bhaderwah registered 33.6 degrees, 32.8 degrees, and 33.0 degrees Celsius, respectively.
Surprisingly, Ladakh, where temperatures would hover around below normal too, felt the heat, with Leh and Kargil registering unseasonal highs of 26.9 degrees and 27.9 degrees.
Health officials have advised the public to stay indoors during peak hours, remain hydrated, and avoid outdoor exertion. Special caution has been urged for children, the elderly, and outdoor workers.
Bathinda sizzles at 47.6 C
Haryana and Punjab continued to reel under intense heatwave on Tuesday with Bathinda recording the highest maximum temperature in the two states at 47.6 degrees Celsius. Blistering heat also swept Haryana’s Sirsa as it recorded a high of 46.2 degrees Celsius. The mercury also continued to soar in Chandigarh, the common capital of the two states, which recorded the season's highest maximum so far at 43.9 degrees Celsius, against Monday’s 43.8 degrees Celsius.
Rohtak also experienced equally hot weather with maximum temperature of 46.1 degrees Celsius. Severe heat swept Narnaul, Hisar, Ambala, Karnal and Bhiwani too with maximum temperatures settling at 45.2, 44.5, 44.3, 44.5 and 44.3 degrees Celsius, respectively. Gurugram registered a high of 42.6 degrees Celsius.
Meanwhile, in Punjab, blistering heat also swept Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala which recorded respective highs of 44.8, 44 and 44.5 degrees Celsius. Ferozepur registered a high of 43.5 degrees, Pathankot 43.2 degrees while Faridkot and Gurdaspur recorded respective maximums of 44.4 and 44 degrees Celsius.
In Himachal Pradesh, temperatures are likely to soar further while dry weather will prevail in the state till June 12. As per the HP Meteorological Department, maximum temperatures are likely to gradually rise by 3°C to 4°C over some parts of the state during the next four to five days.
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