Valley In The Grip Of Heatwave: Qazigund the hottest place in Kashmir, Pahalgam the second hottest

Srinagar: The persistent dry weather conditions and less moisture in the atmosphere have led to the rise in the maximum temperature across Jammu & Kashmir with most areas surpassing the previous records on Monday. The weatherman however, has predicted a sigh of relief from the intense heat wave from May 30.
Reports said Qazigund, the gate way of Kashmir has surpassed all previous records as the station has recorded the hottest May day since the last over four decades.
The figures shared by the local Meteorological department here stated that the highest maximum temperature of 34.0 degree Celsius was recorded on Monday at Qazigund for the last 43 years, breaking all the previous record of 33.6 degree Celsius on 31st May 1981.
The data further reveals that Kokernag has also surpassed the previous records as the station recorded the second highest maximum temperature at 31.6 degree Celsius since the last 22 years, while the hottest May Day has been recorded at 32.6 degree Celsius on 15th May 2001.
Pahalgam, a famous tourist destination has also recorded the second highest temperature in the month of May at 28.6 degree Celsius during the last 23 years while the highest-ever temperature was recorded at 30.8 degree Celsius on 23rd May 2000.
Bhaderwah has also recorded the third hottest May day in the last 23 years at 34.6 degree Celsius since last 23 years while the second and first highest temperatures recorded so far in the month of May is 34.7 degree Celsius 26th May 2024 and 37.6 degree Celsius on 30th May 2000.
A day after recording the hottest day of the season, the maximum temperature has recorded a slight fall in Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu & Kashmir where the mercury settled at 32.2 degree Celsius.
The intense heat wave continued across Jammu and Kashmir as Jammu station on Monday recorded 42.8 degree Celsius while Katra recorded a maximum temperature of 39.0 degree Celsius.
As per the details, Kupwara recorded a maximum temperature of 30.9 degree Celsius while Gulmarg, a famous ski-resort, recorded a maximum temperature of 22.4 degree Celsius.
Meanwhile, Director Meteorological department, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad predicted a sigh of relief from intense heat wave from May 30, saying that a light wet spell is expected from May 30th and the maximum temperature would go down by some degrees till the next few days. “The day temperature would record a slight fall from May 30 to June 2,” he said, adding that the next heat wave is expected from June 03.
Asked about the reasons behind the intense heat wave, he said that the persistent dry spell is one among the reasons for the prevailing weather conditions while the moisture in the lower and upper atmosphere is presently very less. “The moisture is presently very less and thereby the radiation comes down properly, which has led to the rise in the mercury. This will continue till May 29 following which there is possibility of fall in the mercury,” he said