Heat wave conditions in Kashmir

Mubashir Hassan

Heat wave conditions showed no signs of abating as Srinagar recorded the season’s second highest day temperature in 132 years on Tuesday, officials said. A meteorological department official here said that summer capital of J&K, Qazigund and Kokernag recorded record breaking severe heat wave. “Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 34.2°C, which is 6.0°C above normal. This is the 2nd highest maximum temperature ever recorded in September since 1891,” he said, adding, “It has broken the 53 years old record of 33.8°C recorded on 01 September 1970.” About climate change, he said that the people at present mostly rely on conventional fossil fuel, which led to the increase in regional emissions. “The governments as well as the policy makers need to look into it, which can reduce the carbon footprint and can help somehow to tackle the situation,” he added. According to the Deputy Director MeT, Dr Mukhar Ahmad the present heat wave is the outcome of a prolonged dry spell, saying that there was no active Monsoon activity and also the absence of Western Disturbances have led to the present weather conditions. “The present heat wave conditions will continue for the next few weeks. There is a forecast of hot and dry weather conditions till September 15, following which the weather conditions would improve,” he said.