This summer, Jammu and Kashmir endured a brutal and prolonged heat wave that shattered historical records and exposed the region’s growing vulnerability to climate extremes. From May through September, temperatures in Srinagar and across the Valley deviated by 2 to 5 degrees Celsius above seasonal norms, with both daytime highs and nighttime lows reaching unprecedented levels. As per Indian Meteorological Department, this was not a one-off anomaly but part of a sustained pattern that signals a deepening climate crisis.
On May 22, Srinagar recorded 34.4°c, the third-hottest May day in 133 years. By June 20, the mercury soared to 35.5°C, the highest for the month since 2005. These figures are not just statistical outliers; they represent a dangerous shift in the climate baseline. The heat persisted into the night, with minimum temperatures climbing 3°c above average, turning evenings into oppressive stretches of discomfort. The nocturnal heat, intensified by the Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect, is now a defining feature of Kashmir’s summers.
UHI phenomenon caused by concrete and asphalt surfaces absorbing heat during the day and releasing it slowly at night has been magnified in Srinagar by the erosion of green buffers and unregulated urban expansion. The city’s footprint has ballooned from 35 sq km to 80 sq km, largely without environmental oversight. Trees, which naturally cool the air through evapotranspiration, have been sacrificed to unchecked construction. Their absence has transformed Srinagar into a thermal trap, where heat lingers long after sunset.
This degradation is not merely environmental; it is deeply social. In June, the school education department was forced to shift school timings to early mornings as children faced dehydration and heat stress. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, outdoor workers, and low-income families, bore the brunt of the crisis with limited access to cooling infrastructure or healthcare. The heatwave was not just a weather event; it was a public health emergency.
Experts warn that the Himalayas are warming faster than the global average. This accelerated warming threatens not only Kashmir’s climate stability but also its water security, agriculture and biodiversity. Monsoon deficits this year slashed rainfall by up to 50 percent, drying wetlands, stressing crops and disrupting traditional livelihoods. The compounded impact of rising temperatures and declining precipitation is reshaping the region’s ecological balance and not for the better.
If this pattern continues, J&K could face a cascade of crises, water scarcity due to glacial retreat and erratic rainfall; agricultural distress from heat stress and dry spells; increased cases of heatstroke and respiratory illnesses; and loss of biodiversity that destabilizes ecosystems and cultural heritage. J&K stands at a crossroads and the time to act is now.
Urgent steps must be taken to counter the escalating climate crisis in Jammu and Kashmir. These include large-scale reforestation, revival of degraded wetlands and the integration of climate-resilient principles into urban development. Equally vital are public education, grassroots participation and transparent governance to foster a collective sense of responsibility.
The searing heat waves of 2024-25 are more than just weather anomalies, they are stark indicators of J&K under immense ecological stress and policy neglect. Yet, amid this adversity lies an opportunity. Kashmir can still chart a new course, one that prioritizes environmental restoration, safeguards natural ecosystems, and builds cities that are both liveable and sustainable. What’s required now is not merely a change in plans, but a shift in priorities.