Srinagar: Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir, continued to face unusually high temperatures once again Friday even though it came over a notch down from what it was yesterday.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 34.2 degree Celsius today, which was 1.5 degree Celsius less than yesterday’s temperature.
Qazigund recorded a maximum temperature of 32.0 degree Celsius while Pahalgam recorded 26.3 degree Celsius.
The mercury in Kupwara settled at 32.8 degree Celsius while Kokernag and Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, recorded a maximum temperature of 30.9 degree Celsius and 23.4 degree Celsius respectively.
In Jammu division, most of the stations recorded above 30 degree Celsius. In Jammu, 34.3 degree Celsius day temperature was recorded today while Banihal recorded a maximum temperature of 30.4 degree Celsius.
Batote, Katra and Bhaderwah recorded a maximum temperature of 26.8 degree Celsius, 30.7 degree Celsius and 31.1 degree Celsius respectively.
Meanwhile, the weatherman has predicted intermittent rainfall at most places of Jammu and Kashmir till tomorrow.
There is a possibility of intermittent moderate rainfall at most places of J&K with heavy showers at few places till tomorrow.
On July 07, an intermittent spell of light to moderate rain and thundershower is likely at many places, he said, adding that from July 08-July 10, hot and humid weather with possibility of brief spell of rain and thundershowers is expected at scattered places of Jammu division towards late night and early morning and spell of rain and thundershower at few places of Kashmir.
On July 11 & 12, he said a spell of light to moderate rain and thundershowers is expected at scattered places.
Moreover, the local meteorological department in its advisory has mentioned that flash floods, landslides, mudslides and shooting stones are possible at few vulnerable places till tomorrow.
Unusual, abnormal temperatures part of climate change: Experts
With Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir witnessing record-breaking maximum temperatures this July, the experts here claim that the unusual, abnormal temperatures and precipitation are the outcome of the climate change.
They also point to shifting monsoon winds as well as the absence of Western Disturbances as being another sign of “abnormal behavior”.
Professor Ghulam Jeelani, Dean, School of Earth & Environmental Sciences, Kashmir University, said that the rising temperatures, unusual precipitation are not a Kashmir-specific phenomenon; these things are being witnessed across the globe and are clearly linked with climate change.
However, about the shift in the monsoon winds and absence of Western Disturbances, he stated that the research is still going on whether the monsoons and Western Disturbances are affected by the climate change;, whether they are strengthening with time or weakening.
“It is still debatable, but there are people who are doing different research on different aspects of it, but they show some abnormal behaviour over the years,” he added.
Prof Jeelani further added that some researches link it directly with climate change and some people link it with ocean oscillations.
Nonetheless, Dr Sami-ullah Bhat, Senior Assistant Professor at Kashmir University’s Environmental Sciences department said that it would be too early to come up with a conclusion as to what led to the present weather conditions, but the peaks and lows can be witnessed as it is a seasonal phenomenon.
“Warming temperatures are proven and evident. These peaks and lows are a continuous process, but we can say that signs of the rising temperatures and warming of earth are part of climate change,” the expert said.
Pertinently, Jammu and Kashmir parts surpassed the previous records as record-breaking temperatures were seen this year in the month of July. (With inputs from KNO)
