Srinagar: Srinagar recorded the hottest day of the season thus far at 31.6 degrees Celsius while in Jammu the mercury hovered above 41 degrees Celsius.
Reports said that temperatures recorded at almost all weather stations across Kashmir including Srinagar, Qazigund, Pahalgam, Kupwara, Kokernag and Gulmarg are pointing to the prevalence of heat wave.
In Qazigund, the mercury settled at 31.6 degree Celsius, which was over 7 degrees above normal for this part of the year. In Srinagar, the departure temperature was 6.8 degree Celsius.
According to the data, Pahalgam and Kokernag recorded a maximum temperature of 27.1 degree Celsius and 30.2 degree Celsius respectively while the departures at both places were 5.5 degree Celsius and 6.6 degree Celsius respectively.
The Meteorological department has mentioned that Kupwara and Gulmarg recorded the maximum temperature of 30.2 degree Celsius and 21.2 degree Celsius respectively. The departure at these places was 4.5 degree Celsius and 5.2 degree Celsius respectively.
The temperature also crossed the 30-degree Celsius mark at multiple places in the Jammu division, which include Banihal, Batote, Katra and Bhaderwah while in Jammu, the mercury settled at 41.2 degree Celsius.
The Meteorological department has predicted a severe heat wave in the coming days with the possibility of a further rise in the maximum temperature and the possibility of it touching 44 degrees Celsius in the next couple of days.
Dr Mahender Singh, senior Scientist and Incharge Agrometeorology unit of Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST) Jammu said that as of now no major change is expected till the end of the month and day temperature, which is currently between 41 degrees to 42 degrees, is expected to cross 44 degrees in coming days, probably by May 27-28.
Giving a year-wise detailed report, the weatherman shared that the maximum temperature recorded on 26th May 1984 in Jammu was 47.4 degrees and it is an all-time record.
He said that from May 22 to 28, generally dry weather with the possibility of thundershower activity at isolated places can’t be ruled out while overall there will be no significant weather activity till May 28.
He said that the heat wave over the plains of Jammu division with hot and dry weather over hilly districts of Jammu and the plains of Kashmir would likely continue during the next five days. (With inputs from KNO)
