Owais Gul
Srinagar, May 23: The Jammu & Kashmir summer capital, Srinagar has witnessed the hottest May day on Thursday after 11 years at 32.2 degree Celsius as a similar temperature was recorded in May 2013 while all the other stations amidst the intense heat wave have recorded the hottest day of the season.
The heat wave intensified in Kashmir as all the stations have recorded the hottest days of the season today with the local Meteorological department predicting hot and dry weather conditions ahead.
In Srinagar, the mercury settled at 32.2 degree Celsius, which was the hottest in the last one decade and also similar to the temperature recorded on May 23rd in 2013.
Srinagar has recorded above 34 degree Celsius in the past as well. As per the details shared by Independent Weather Forecaster, Faizan Arif Keng, Srinagar has recorded 32.3 degree Celsius in the month of May in 2011, 32.4 degree Celsius in 2007, 34.2 degree Celsius in 2001, 33.8 degree Celsius in 2000 and 34.1 degree Celsius in 1995.
“It is the hottest May day recorded in the last one decade,” he said.
Moreover, as per the data, some other parts of Kashmir where the hottest day of season amidst the intense heat wave was recorded include Qazigund, Pahalgam, Kupwara, Kokernag, Gulmarg, Ganderbal, Anantnag and others.
In Qazigund, the mercury settled at 32.6 degree Celsius while Pahalgam recorded a maximum temperature of 27.3 degree Celsius. In Kupwara, the mercury settled at 30.6 degree Celsius while in Kokernag and Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, the mercury settled at 30.1 degree Celsius and 22.0 degree Celsius respectively.
However, in Jammu’s three stations including Jammu, Banihal and Batote, the mercury recorded a slight fall as the mercury settled at40.1 degree Celsius, 29.8 degree Celsius and 29.9 degree Celsius respectively.
Katra has however, recorded further rise as the maximum temperature soared to 36.4 degree Celsius today while in Bhaderwah, it settled at 32.6 degree Celsius.
Meanwhile, Director Meteorological department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad told KNO that the weather is expected to remain generally dry till May 28 while the possibility of thundershower activity at isolated places can’t be ruled out.
From May 29-31st, the weather would remain partly to generally cloudy with light rain and thunder expected at isolated places.
Overall, no significant weather activity till 31st May, he said.
Meanwhile, the MeT has issued an advisory for farmers, advising them to continue farm operations.
“Heat wave over plains of Jammu division & Kashmir division would likely continue during the next 6 days. Hot and dry weather is expected over hilly districts during the next 6 days,” the advisory reads.
The MeT has also advised people to avoid heat exposure and drink a lot of fluid and water, especially vulnerable people like elderly, infants and children. Meanwhile, the MeT has issued an advisory for farmers, advising them to continue farm operations.
“Heat wave over plains of Jammu division & Kashmir division would likely continue during the next 6 days. Hot and dry weather is expected over hilly districts during the next 6 days,” the advisory reads.
The MeT has also advised people to avoid heat exposure and drink a lot of fluid and water, especially vulnerable people like elderly, infants and children.
Meanwhile, amidst the intense heat wave, Jammu & Kashmir, the Disaster Management Authority (DMA) has issued an alert, saying extreme fire is likely to occur over forest areas during the next seven days.
It also requested people to report the incident (if any) on 113 for prompt response. “Extreme forest fire risk is likely to occur over forest areas in the next 7 days. People are requested to report the incident (if any) on 112 for prompt response. Dial 112 for any help,” JKDMA in an alert said.
