Sweltering weather conditions continued unabated as thermometers were put through their paces, reaching heights never seen before in some places of the Kashmir Valley on Sunday.
According to the meteorological department here, Srinagar recorded this season's hottest day at 36.2°C. It was the fourth warmest day ever in the month of July.
While the all-time highest maximum temperature in July for Srinagar was recorded at 38.3°C on July 10, 1946, the mercury touched 37°C on July 9, 1999 and 36.6°C in 1997, a MeT official said.
Kashmir’s gateway town Qazigund and Kokernag also recorded the highest maximum temperature in July at 35.6°C and 34.6°C respectively, he said. The previous highest temperature in Qazigund was 34.5°C on July 11, 1988, while Kokernag had its maximum temperature of 33.3°C on July 3, 2024.
Meanwhile, Pahalgam recorded a maximum of 31.1°C, Kupwara 35.8°C, Gulmarg 25.6°C and Jammu 32.0°C.
Regarding the forecast, the MeT official predicted generally cloudy weather with intermittent spells of light to moderate rain and thundershowers across the Kashmir and Jammu Divisions between July 29 and 31.
From August 1-4, he said, generally cloudy weather with spells of intermittent light to moderate rain and thundershower are expected.
He also warned of the possibility of landslides and mudslides, besides shooting stones at a few vulnerable places. “Significant fall in day temperature is expected from 29 July onwards,” he added.