Srinagar: Kashmir Valley continued to reel under an intense heatwave on Friday, with Srinagar recording its highest daytime temperature of the season at 35.0 degrees Celsius. The reading surpassed the previous monthly high of 34.5°C recorded on July 10.
According to official Meteorological Department data, Friday’s maximum temperature is the third highest recorded in Srinagar during July since 2016. The city had recorded 37.4°C on July 6, 2025, and 36.2°C on July 29, 2024.
The MeT Department said Srinagar’s maximum temperature was 4.9°C above normal, while the minimum settled at 22.0°C, which was 3.3°C above normal, indicating unusually warm nights.
Elsewhere in Jammu and Kashmir, Jammu recorded the highest maximum temperature at 35.8°C, followed by Srinagar and Kupwara at 35.0°C each. Qazigund registered 33.2°C, Kokernag 32.9°C, Katra 31.8°C, Bhadarwah 31.5°C, Banihal 30.8°C, while the tourist resorts of Pahalgam and Gulmarg remained comparatively cooler at 27.4°C and 25.6°C, respectively.
The Meteorological Department said hot and humid conditions are likely to persist on July 18, with brief thundershowers possible at scattered places.
A significant change in weather is expected from July 19 onwards, with rain and thundershowers forecast across many parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The IMD has predicted heavy rain and brief intense showers at isolated places in the Jammu Division on July 19.
Weather activity is expected to intensify between July 20 and 22, with generally cloudy skies and widespread rain or thundershowers across the Union Territory.
The department has warned of heavy to very heavy rainfall at a few places in the Jammu Division, while some areas in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions may experience intense showers and torrential rain.
Rain and thundershowers are likely to continue at many places on July 23, followed by isolated spells of rain on July 24 and 25.
The IMD has issued an advisory warning of flash floods, landslides and mudslides in vulnerable areas during July 20 to 22. It also cautioned that heavy rainfall could lead to a sharp rise in water levels of rivers and streams, resulting in waterlogging and minor flooding in low lying areas.
Farmers have been advised to suspend agricultural operations during the period of heavy rainfall. The general public and concerned departments have also been urged to remain vigilant and plan their activities accordingly.
