Srinagar: An intense spell of heat gripped Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh today, with several areas recording temperatures well above the seasonal average. The Kashmir Valley in particular witnessed an unusual surge in maximum temperatures.
Kupwara emerged as the hottest location in the region, registering a sweltering 35.4°C (3.4°C above normal). Srinagar was not far behind, recording 35.3°C, a significant 5.7°C above the usual average for this time of year. Qazigund followed with 34.4°C, exceeding normal levels by a staggering 6.9°C, as per Independent weather forecasting outlet ‘Kashmir Weather‘, according to Alfaaz – The Words.
Pahalgam, often a popular summer retreat due to its cool weather, reached 30.2°C, marking a 5.5°C deviation from the norm. Kokernag touched 33.4°C, while even the ski resort of Gulmarg, usually among the coolest places in the Valley, recorded 26.0°C (3.0°C higher than average).
In contrast, the Jammu region remained comparatively stable. Jammu city recorded a maximum of 35.0°C, slightly below normal by 1.0°C. Katra and Banihal saw temperatures of 32.0°C and 29.8°C respectively, while Bhaderwah and Batote remained on the cooler side with 32.3°C and 27.0°C, both registering below or near-normal readings.
Ladakh, which is generally associated with dry and cool weather, also experienced high temperatures. Leh recorded 31.0°C, while Kargil matched Kupwara’s high of 35.4°C.
