Srinagar: On Thursday, temperatures soared above normal in the Kashmir Valley, with Srinagar, the capital of Kashmir, recording 32.2°C, which is 7.4°C above normal, marking the season's hottest day and the highest temperature in at least a decade for the month of May.
According to the details shared by the meteorological department Srinagar recorded a maximum of 32.2°C against 31.6°C yesterday, above-normal by 7.4°C.
The previous highest temperature since 2014 was recorded at 31.9°C on May 22, 2016. While data prior to 2014 was not immediately available, the all-time maximum recorded was 36.4°C on May 24, 1968, an official from the MeT said.
Other places also recorded sweltering temperatures with Qazigund recording a maximum of 32.6°C, Pahalgam 27.3°C, Kokernag 30. 1°C, Kupwara 30.6°C and Gulmarg 22.0°C respectively. Jammu recorded 40.1°C, the MeT official said.
Moreover, the department predicted a “heat wave” over plains of Jammu and Kashmir stating that it will continue for the next six days.
He said from May 23-28 dry weather is expected even as the possibility of thundershower activity at “isolated” places cannot be ruled out.
From May 29-31, weather is likely to be partly to generally cloudy with light rain and thunder at isolated places.
“Overall, no significant weather activity is expected until May 31,” he said, adding, “The heat wave over the plains of the Jammu region and the Kashmir Valley is likely to continue for the next six days,” he added.
The weather department also urged people to avoid heat exposure and drink a lot of fluid and water especially vulnerable people, elderly, infants and children.
Meanwhile, night temperature on thr interveining night of Wednesday-Thursday also continued to witness the increasing trend with Srinagar recording a low of 15.0°C against 14.2°C on the previous night, above-normal by 23.3°C.
Qazigund recorded a minimum of 11.8°C against 11.6°C on the previous night and it was 1.5°C above normal for the gateway town of Kashmir valley.
Pahalgam recorded a low of 7.7°C against 7.5°C on the previous night and it was 1.5°C normal for the famous resort in south Kashmir.
Kokernag, also in south Kashmir, recorded a minimum of 12.3°C against 11.4°C and it was 2.2°C above normal, the official said.
Kupwara recorded a minimum of 11.5°C against 10.7°C on the previous night and it was above normal by 1.1°C for the place, the official said.
Gulmarg recorded a minimum of 11.0°C, same as on the previous night and it was above normal by 4.2°C for the world famous skiing resort in north Kashmir.
Jammu recorded a low of 29.1°C against 27.1°C on the previous night and it was above normal by 4.7°C.
Pir Panchal’s Banihal recorded a low of 15.2°C, and Chenab valley’s Bhaderwah logged 15.8°C.
(GNS)