Srinagar, June 28: Kashmir remained in the grip of an intense heatwave on Sunday, with Srinagar recording the season's highest temperature of 33.8°C as soaring mercury levels brought sweltering conditions across the Valley.
A MeT official said Srinagar recorded the hottest day of the season on Sunday as the mercury touched 33.8°C amid a sharp rise in temperatures across the Valley.
According to data issued by the Meteorological Department, Qazigund recorded 33.2°C, Kupwara 32.3°C, Kokernag (Anantnag district) 31.9°C, Banihal 31.6°C, Batote 29.5°C, Pahalgam 27.7°C, while Gulmarg recorded 24.8°C.
In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded 37.0°C, Katra 35.6°C, and Bhaderwah 32.0°C.
The MeT official said generally dry weather is expected to prevail across Jammu and Kashmir till the end of June.
He said a significant change in weather is likely between July 1 and July 4, as a fresh Western Disturbance interacting with advancing monsoon winds is expected to affect the Union Territory.
According to the MeT Department, the approaching weather system is likely to trigger widespread rainfall, thunderstorms, gusty winds, lightning and isolated hailstorms in several parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
The expected wet spell is likely to provide much-needed relief from the prevailing heatwave conditions, though strong winds and heavy showers could lead to localised disruptions in vulnerable areas.
The MeT Department has advised residents, particularly those living in flood-prone and hilly areas, to remain alert and follow official weather advisories.
The rainfall activity is also expected to bring a noticeable drop in temperatures after several days of unusually hot weather across the region.