Did Srinagar City Just Record Its Third Highest July Temperature?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 37.4°C on July 5.
- This is the third highest July temperature ever for the city.
- Water shortages are becoming critical across the Kashmir Valley.
- The government has initiated emergency measures to combat water scarcity.
- Rain is expected, which may provide relief to the affected regions.
Srinagar, July 5 (NationPress) On Saturday, the maximum temperature in Srinagar, J&K reached 37.4 degrees Celsius, marking it as the third highest July temperature ever documented in the city.
Mukhtar Ahmed, Director of MET, informed IANS, “Today’s maximum temperature was 37.4 degrees Celsius. This is the third-highest July temperature ever recorded. In 1946, Srinagar experienced a peak temperature of 38.6 degrees Celsius in July. The highest recorded temperature in July in 1953 was 37.7.
In contrast, Jammu city recorded a maximum temperature of 32.7 degrees Celsius, which is 2.7 degrees below normal.
The Kashmir Valley has been deprived of rain for over a month, leading to a severe shortage of drinking water and irrigation resources.
The seriousness of this situation was highlighted when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah launched water tanker services for regions affected by drinking water shortages.
Areas in South Kashmir, including the districts of Pulwama, Anantnag, Shopian, and Kulgam, are facing critical irrigation shortages affecting paddy crops and apple orchards.
Higher elevation areas in Srinagar, Budgam, Kupwara, Ganderbal, Bandipora, and Baramulla districts are also grappling with water shortages for both human consumption and agriculture.
Children in regions with small ponds and springs are often reluctant to leave the water.
Unfortunately, there have been reports of children drowning in the Jhelum River over the past few days.
Currently, schools are on summer vacation, which will conclude on Monday. J&K Education Minister Sakina Itoo mentioned on Saturday that a decision regarding extending summer vacations would be made on Sunday, contingent on the weather.
The MET office has delivered some positive news for the locals, indicating that intermittent and fairly widespread rainfall is expected in J&K between the 6th and 8th of July.
Traditionally known for its mild summers with cool breezes and refreshing nights, the Kashmir Valley has been enduring extreme heat for the past fortnight.