India's Kashmir Valley witnesses extreme heatwave, Srinagar breaks 25-year-old record

India's KashmirValley also known as the Paradise on Earth is witnessing an unprecedentedheatwave withSrinagarbreakinga 25-year record on July3 asthe temperature hit 35.6 degrees Celsiuswhich issixdegrees above normal. Experts believe the rise in mercury is due to the persistent dry spell leading to the increase in maximum temperatures.

The visitors landing in Kashmir Valley to get respite from the heat wave across North India are highly disappointed by the high temperatures and scorchingheatin the Valley.

The Boulevard Road, overlookingthe Dal Lake is typically one of the busiest roads in the Srinagar City, but with the scorching heat,there are only a few visitors visible during the day.

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Srinagarrecorded a maximum temperature of 35.6 degrees Celsiuswhich is six degrees Celsius above normal. It is the highest July temperature recorded in the citysince 1999, when the maximum temperature reached 37.0degrees Celsiuson July 9.

Overall, it is the 11th highest maximum temperature recorded in Srinagar in July. The city witnessed the highest maximum temperature of38.3degrees Celsiusrecorded onJuly 10, 1946.

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"Yesterday's temperature was 35.6 degrees and it was the highest temperature since 1999 when the temperature was 37.0 degrees, and it is also the 11th highest temperature recorded ever in the month of July in Srinagar. And it's not only Srinagar but also the higher reaches like Kokernag which recorded the all-time highest temperature. For Qazigund station and Gulmarg which also broke its decade-old record, a similar heat wave was also seen in north plains and south Kashmir as well,"said Faizan Arif, Weather Analyst and Forecaster.

Tourists landing in the Kashmir Valley fromother North Indian states like Himachaland Uttarakhand are highly disappointed withheatwavesnot sparing these higher reaches as well.

"This is very hot, it's around 35-36 and in UP it's 41, not much of a difference. I did not expect this hot weather at all, we thought it would be pleasant and we would do a lot of adventure activities. We are staying inside the hotel all day and not venturing out due to heat. I am travelling with thermals, jackets and sweaters and we have not even opened it as we are feeling extremely hot here,"said Vishwa Gupta, a tourist from Uttar Pradesh.

The MeT has said that there is no hope of any respite from theheatin the next 48 hours. The weather does not only remain high in Srinagar city but also at tourist places on higher reaches like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Kokernag and Verinag.

People who were expecting to witness icy winds and escape the scorching heat of the rest of the country were also left disappointed.

"It's very hot here, it at least rains in our areas, and here we have only seen scorching heat. We have come to Kashmir to witness cold weather, but we are sweating here. We have brought woollens but have not used them. Only wearing T-shirts as it's hot. Very disappointed with the weather, the sun is extremely intense here,"said Tanya Gupta, a tourist.

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The Valley has been witnessing erratic weather conditions, as heavy snowfall and severe coldwaveconditions were seen in the middle of April and inJune and July, itis now facing aheatwave.

The Jammu andKashmirGovernment under theHeatWaveAction Plan has designated departments and nodal officers to help or assist affected individuals. The administration has urged residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to protect their health during this period of hot weather.