Srinagar: Kashmir witnessed an unusual October heatwave on Sunday, with several weather stations recording temperatures far above normal and breaking long-standing records.
Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 31.2°C, making it the second-highest October temperature ever recorded in the city. The reading surpassed the previous second-highest mark of 31.1°C recorded on October 2, 2008, and was 5.7°C above normal. The all-time October record for Srinagar remains 33.9°C, set on October 2, 1931.
The heatwave was more pronounced in south Kashmir, where Qazigund registered 31.4°C, becoming the hottest October day ever recorded at the station. The previous record of 31.2°C, set on October 1, 1985, was broken by 0.2 degrees. The temperature was 7.3°C above normal.
In the famous hill resort of Gulmarg, the mercury rose to 23.2°C, making it the second-hottest October day on record. The temperature exceeded Saturday’s reading of 23.0°C and remained just below the all-time October record of 23.4°C recorded on October 1, 2009. The day temperature was 6.7°C above normal.
Kokernag also recorded its highest-ever October temperature, with the mercury touching 29.4°C, surpassing the previous record of 29.2°C set on October 4, 2008. The temperature was 5.8°C above normal.
Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif said the region was experiencing exceptionally high temperatures for this time of the year, with multiple stations either breaking or nearing historic October records.
The unusual warmth comes at a time when temperatures in Kashmir typically begin to decline with the onset of autumn, raising concerns among residents and weather observers over the increasing frequency of extreme weather events in the Valley.
