Srinagar Sizzles at 35.5°C Highest June Temperature Since 2005

Natika Bhat
Srinagar June : 24 In an exceptional spike, Srinagar recorded a scorching 35.5°C on Monday, marking the highest June temperature in the city in nearly two decades. The previous comparable figure was 36.5°C, logged on 25 June 2005.

While still short of the all-time June record of 37.8°C set on 29 June 1978, Monday’s temperature is a stark reminder of the shifting climate patterns impacting the Kashmir Valley.
According to data compiled by Kashmir WeatherForecast, Srinagar’s temperature was 6.3°C above normal for this time of year.
“This is not just a brief hot spell. We’re witnessing a consistent upward trend in temperatures, particularly in regions that were once known for their mild summers,” said Faizan Arif, a local weather forecaster and founder of Kashmir Weather. “The anomaly is significant, especially in Srinagar and the higher reaches. This kind of heat, so early and so widespread, could be linked to larger climate variability.”
Other areas across Jammu and Kashmir also experienced unusually high temperatures:
Qazigund: 33.6°C (6.2°C above normal)
Pahalgam: 30.6°C (5.8°C above normal)
Kupwara: 34.7°C (5.0°C above normal)
Kokernag: 33.2°C (6.0°C above normal)
Gulmarg: 26.0°C (6.0°C above normal)
In contrast, parts of the Jammu division remained cooler than usual. Jammu city recorded 34.1°C, which is 3.5°C below normal, and Batote logged 28.2°C — marginally below normal levels.
“Typically, Jammu is the hotter belt during summer, but this pattern reversal indicates shifting weather dynamics. This needs deeper climatological assessment,” Arif added.
The unusual temperatures have prompted health officials to urge residents to stay hydrated, avoid direct sun exposure during peak hours, and take precautions against heat-related illnesses.
With several days of hot and dry weather forecast ahead, authorities are also monitoring for potential forest fire risks and water shortages in vulnerable areas.