J&K Witnesses Unseasonal Heatwave as Mercury Touches 33.5°C in Srinagar and 34.6°C in Jammu; IMD Issues Advisory for Farmers
SRINAGAR: Mostly dry weather persisted across Jammu and Kashmir on Friday, driving maximum day temperatures significantly above normal levels in both divisions, with Srinagar recording a high of 33.5°C—a departure of 4.2°C above seasonal averages.
Official data released by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) showed that the summer capital recorded a night-time low of 18.3°C, which was 1.6°C above normal, with zero rainfall reported over the preceding 24 hours.
Regional Temperature Breakdown
| Location | Region | Maximum Temp (°C) | Departure from Normal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jammu City | Jammu | 34.6°C | +1.6°C |
| Srinagar | Kashmir | 33.5°C | +4.2°C |
| Kupwara | Kashmir | 33.5°C | — |
| Qazigund | Kashmir | 32.6°C | +5.4°C |
| Katra | Jammu | 32.5°C | — |
| Kokernag | Kashmir | 31.0°C | — |
| Banihal | Jammu | 30.4°C | — |
| Batote | Jammu | 28.1°C | — |
| Pahalgam | Kashmir | 27.3°C | +2.6°C |
| Gulmarg | Kashmir | 23.8°C | — |
Detailed IMD Outlook & Forecast Timeline:
- August 29 – 30: Generally fair and dry conditions across most districts; scattered, isolated thundershowers are possible in parts of the Jammu division.
- August 31 – September 2: Predominantly dry weather with chances of localized thundershowers in some belts. No widespread wet spell is projected, but short-duration intense spells may occur.
- September 3 – 4: Mostly clear conditions, with sporadic showers possible in the early morning and late afternoon hours. The weather office noted this outlook remains subject to change.
Agricultural & Orchard Advisory
The Meteorological Department has advised apple growers and farmers across the Kashmir Valley to carry out scheduled orchard spraying on August 29 and during the morning hours of August 30.
Orchardists have been explicitly advised to suspend spraying activities from August 31 through September 2 to prevent chemical wash-off from sudden convective rain activity.
