Srinagar, Jul 18: Kashmir continued to bake under an intense heatwave on Saturday, with Srinagar recording the season’s highest maximum temperature of 35.9°C, nearly 5.8°C above normal, as the Valley endured another day of oppressive heat and humidity.
The scorching temperature surpassed Friday’s maximum of 35.0°C, marking a sharp rise within 24 hours and making Saturday the hottest day of the season so far in the summer capital.
Independent weatherman Faizan Arif said Srinagar’s 35.9°C was the highest temperature recorded this season. He noted that during the previous summer, Srinagar had touched 37.4°C on July 6, 2025, while 36.2°C was recorded on July 29, 2025.
He also pointed out that on June 29 this year, Srinagar had earlier touched 35.3°C before the mercury climbed further later in the season, highlighting that the Valley is once again witnessing unusually high temperatures.
The heatwave extended across Kashmir, with Kupwara recording 35.6°C, Ganderbal and Baramulla 34.5°C each, Shopian 34.4°C, Kokernag 33.1°C, Bandipora 32.7°C, Qazigund 32.6°C, and the famous hill resort of Gulmarg registering 25.6°C, which was 4.4°C above normal. Even the Amarnath Yatra axis experienced unusually warm conditions, with the Holy Cave recording 23.8°C, while Baltal, Panchtarni and Chandanwari also reported higher-than-normal temperatures.
Director of the Meteorological Centre Srinagar, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, said the prevailing hot and humid weather is likely to continue for another two days before a major change sets in.
“We are expecting widespread rainfall across Jammu and Kashmir from July 20 onwards. The rains are likely to bring a significant drop in day temperatures and provide much-needed relief from the ongoing heat,” he said.
Weather experts have advised people, particularly children, the elderly and those with medical conditions, to avoid prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, stay hydrated and follow official weather advisories, as the Valley prepares for a transition from extreme heat to widespread rainfall over the coming days.
Environmentalist and researcher Dr Tanveer Ahmad Khan attributed the soaring temperatures to the fast melting of glaciers, pollution of lakes and soil erosion in and around wetlands. “Even though heat waves are a global phenomenon, we can’t ignore the human factor. In Kashmir, pollution and encroachments are the biggest reasons for climate change,” he said.
