Srinagar, June 12, KNT: A severe heatwave has gripped large parts of Jammu and Kashmir, with temperatures soaring well above normal in both regions, triggering widespread discomfort and renewed calls for the immediate declaration of summer vacations in schools.
In the Kashmir Valley, traditionally known for its mild summers, temperatures have breached seasonal averages by alarming margins. Srinagar recorded a sweltering 34.2°C, 6.2°C above normal, while Qazigund touched 33.9°C, which is 7.2°C above the usual mark. Even the cooler zones weren’t spared. Pahalgam stood at 29.0°C and Gulmarg, a famed hill resort, reached 24.8°C, both registering temperature anomalies of over 5°C and 6°C, respectively.
Other parts of the Valley also felt the brunt, with Kupwara hitting 33.0°C and Kokernag soaring to 33.2°C, both well above their normal ranges.
In the Jammu region, already infamous for its blazing summers, the mercury pushed further limits. The city of Jammu scorched at 43.6°C, almost 5°C above normal. Katra was not far behind at 39.5°C, while Bhaderwah, nestled in the hills, stunned many with 34.0°C, a worrying 4.2°C rise from the seasonal average.
Hill towns like Batote and Banihal also sizzled at 33.0°C and 33.8°C respectively, both witnessing temperatures over 5°C above normal levels.
In stark contrast, Ladakh remained largely unaffected by the heatwave. Leh recorded a relatively mild 26.2°C, while Kargil stood at 26.8°C, offering a cooling contrast to the intense conditions prevailing in the rest of the Union Territory.
As the temperatures rise, so too does public frustration, especially from parents and educators. Calls for summer vacations across schools in Kashmir and Jammu have grown louder, with many arguing that the intense heat poses a serious health risk to school-going children.
“The heat is unbearable, and our children are falling sick,” said a worried parent in Anantnag. “There is no justification for keeping schools open in such conditions.”
Sources within the education department confirm that the situation is under review, and the administration is closely monitoring temperature trends before making any announcement regarding the holidays.
Meanwhile, health officials have urged the public to stay hydrated, avoid outdoor activities during peak hours, and take special care of the elderly, children, and those with health conditions. [KNT]
