Kashmir Impulse Desk

Srinagar, July 17

Srinagar sweltered through its hottest day of July on Friday, with temperatures touching 35 degrees Celsius after a week-long rise in mercury, prompting weather officials to warn that the heat would soon give way to heavy rain that could trigger flash floods, landslides and disruption across parts of Jammu and Kashmir.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) said Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 35 degrees Celsius, surpassing the previous monthly high of 34.5 degrees Celsius set on July 10. The rise followed a brief cool spell brought by intermittent rainfall earlier this month, with temperatures climbing steadily over the past four days.

The sharp temperature rise has been accompanied by high humidity, making conditions uncomfortable across much of the Kashmir Valley. Other towns also recorded unusually high daytime temperatures, with Kupwara touching 35 degrees Celsius, while Kokernag registered 33.2 degrees Celsius and Qazigund 32.5 degrees Celsius. Tourist destinations such as Pahalgam and Gulmarg remained comparatively cooler at 27.4 degrees Celsius and 25.6 degrees Celsius respectively. In the Jammu region, Jammu city recorded 35.8 degrees Celsius.

Meteorological officials said the hot spell was expected to persist through Saturday before a fresh western disturbance alters weather conditions across the Himalayan region.

“Weather is likely to remain generally hot and humid until July 18. Temperatures are expected to remain the same or rise slightly before dipping from July 19,” Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of the Meteorological Department in Srinagar, said.

The department forecast light to moderate rain and thunderstorms across many parts of Jammu and Kashmir from July 19, with rainfall activity expected to intensify over the following four days.

Peak activity is forecast on July 21 and July 22, when heavy rainfall and brief but intense showers could affect several districts in both Kashmir and Jammu divisions, according to the department.

Authorities warned that the approaching weather system could trigger flash floods in vulnerable catchments, landslides and mudslides in mountainous areas, particularly in the Chenab Valley, the Pir Panjal range and higher reaches of Kashmir. Waterlogging in urban areas, localised flooding and rising water levels in rivers, streams and seasonal nallahs are also likely, especially in the Jammu division, the department said.

The advisory comes during the peak tourist season, when thousands of visitors are travelling across the Kashmir Valley and the Jammu region, including pilgrims undertaking the annual Amarnath Yatra.

Officials advised tourists, trekkers, transporters and commuters to monitor weather bulletins and plan travel accordingly, while farmers were urged to suspend agricultural operations between July 20 and July 23 because of the likelihood of heavy rainfall and associated hazards.

The changing weather pattern reflects the highly variable conditions that have characterised this year’s monsoon season in the western Himalayas, with prolonged dry spells interrupted by episodes of intense rainfall capable of causing localised flooding and slope failures.

While the forecast rain is expected to provide relief from the ongoing heat, officials cautioned that it could also increase the risk of weather-related disruptions in vulnerable mountainous districts, underscoring the need for residents and travellers to remain alert over the coming week.