Extreme heat hits Kashmir, causes water shortage across Jammu and Kashmir

An intense heat wave has gripped Kashmir, pushing temperatures above 35°C and causing severe water shortages. Srinagar recorded its highest June temperature in 20 years, leading to declining river levels and crop distress across the Valley.

Srinagar: An unprecedented heat wave has gripped Kashmir, with temperatures soaring above 35 degrees Celsius for several consecutive days.

On Thursday, Srinagar city recorded a maximum temperature of 35.2°C, marking the highest June temperature in the region in the past two decades. Jammu city recorded 36.5°C, narrowing the usual temperature gap between the two cities to just 1.3°C.

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The scorching heat has led to a sharp decline in the water level of the Jhelum River, the Valley’s primary water body. Originating from Verinag Spring in Anantnag district, the river flows through the Kashmir Valley and into Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) via Uri in Baramulla district.

With mountain reservoirs already depleted due to below-normal snowfall this winter, water levels in mountain streams, springs, rivers, lakes, and wells have dropped alarmingly.

Farmers across Ganderbal, Srinagar, Budgam, Bandipora, Kupwara, Baramulla, Shopian, Kulgam, and Anantnag districts are already struggling with irrigation shortages for their paddy fields and apple orchards.

Paddy cultivation, which requires abundant water until the grain matures, has been significantly affected in higher altitudes. Similarly, apple orchards are suffering, as water stress leads to underdeveloped, less colourful fruit with reduced shelf life.

While occasional rain in April and May had temporarily replenished some water sources, the current spell of dry weather has worsened the situation.

However, there may be some relief in sight. The Meteorological Department (MeT) on Friday forecast mainly dry weather for the Kashmir division and isolated light rain in the Jammu division over the next 24 hours.

It added that scattered to fairly widespread light rain is likely across J&K during the following two days.

In view of the extreme weather, the School Education Department has announced a 10-day summer break starting July 1.