Valley Scorches, Relief Soon Kashmir continued to endure severe heatwave conditions on Tuesday as Srinagar recorded the season’s second-highest temperature at 35.2 degrees Celsius, following a record-breaking 35.3°C the previous day. The Meteorological Department reported that maximum temperatures in Srinagar remained 5.6 degrees above the seasonal average, while night temperatures also stayed unusually high at 22.5°C, offering minimal respite from the scorching weather. Across the Valley, several locations saw temperatures well above normal: Kupwara hit 35.4°C, Qazigund reached 33.4°C, Kokernag recorded 33.0°C, and Pahalgam measured 29.6°C. Even Gulmarg, typically known for its cooler climate, experienced an unusually warm 26.0°C. Shopkeepers at Srinagar’s commercial hub, Lal Chowk, noted a significant drop in customer traffic due to the extreme heat. Abdul Ahad, a vendor of readymade garments and cosmetics, stated that customer flow had declined sharply over the past few days. As the heatwave intensified in the afternoon, children in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir sought relief by bathing and swimming in rivers, streams, and lakes. At several points along the Jhelum riverbanks and near local water sources, groups of children jumped into the water during the afternoon. Ayan, a school student in Srinagar, described the situation: “It feels impossible to stay in school for the entire day. We come here every day after school to cool ourselves.” A teenager from Baramulla, Umer, echoed similar concerns, noting that the heat this summer felt unusually intense. “Earlier, we waited for sunshine in Kashmir, but now afternoons have become too hot. Swimming in the stream gives us relief,” he said. The Meteorological Centre Srinagar’s Director, Dr.#srinagar #kashmir #dr_mukhtar_ahmad #metropolitanological_department #dr_suhail_naik
