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Hindustan Times
15 hours ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
Brace for more rain in J&K from July 22
Jammu and Kashmir is bracing up for moderate to heavy rains as the weather office has predicted four days of wet weather from Monday. A vegetable vendor speaks on his mobile phone while the monsoon rain in Jammu on Monday. (AP) The meteorological centre in Srinagar said that heavy rains were recorded in some parts of Jammu since Sunday and the weather system is expected to impact the whole of J&K. 'In the past 24 hours, the rainfall in Katra was 184.2 mm, Udhampur recorded 97.4 mm and Kathua 22 mm,' MeT director Mukhtar Ahmad said on Monday. The centre predicted intermittent spells of light to moderate rain, thunder and gusty winds at many places with intense showers at few places & heavy to very heavy rain at isolated to scattered places of Jammu division on July 22. July 23-24 will also be generally cloudy with moderate rain at many places and intense showers at few places with heavy rain at isolated places of J&K. 'There is a possibility of intense showers, gusty winds and heavy to very heavy rain at isolated to scattered places of J&K during 21-24 July,' said Ahmad. He warned of flash floods at few vulnerable places with landslides, mudslides & shooting stones. 'There are chances of rise in water level in rivers, streams, local nallas & water logging in few Low lying areas,' he said. Farmers have been advised to suspend farm operations from July 21-24. The weather will improve from Friday. 'July 25-27 will experience hot & humid weather with the possibility of brief showers at a few places,' Ahmad said. After largely dry and hot weather since the beginning of summer in May-June, Kashmir has received very good rains in July breaking the dry spell, bringing heatwave-like conditions under control and rejuvenating the water bodies of the Himalayan valley.
India.com
a day ago
- Climate
- India.com
Indus Water Treaty Suspension Sparks Hope for Resolving Kashmir's Water Crisis
New Delhi: The suspension of the Indus water treaty has raised hopes in Kashmir for addressing water shortages for agriculture and power, driven by climate change impacts like glacial retreat and erratic river flows. Kashmir for the suspension, with farmers and residents hoping for a 'fair share' of water to combat the crisis. Kashmir is facing a deepening water crisis due to climate change, with hotter summers, early snowmelt, and reduced rainfall shrinking water availability. About 70% of Kashmir's population depends on farming, relying on snowmelt for irrigation. Erratic weather patterns, early snowmelt, and shrinking glaciers have reduced water availability, with rivers like the Jhelum seeing up to 30% lower flows in dry seasons compared to historical averages. Rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers, supplying 60-70% of the Indus River's summer flow, is melting 65% faster than in previous decades, causing short-term increases in water flow but threatening long-term scarcity. This exacerbates Kashmir's water crisis, as less snowfall and its early melting disrupts irrigation. But IMD also believes suspension of the Indus water treaty will help the whole of Jammu and Kashmir. Mukhtar Ahmad IMD Director Kashmir said, ' In Jammu and Kashmir, sufficient snowfall is not happening, and average temperatures have increased from .5 to 7.8 had increased and its impact is seen in Kashmir there is heatwave and temperatures also touched 37.4, which is the highest in the last 70 years in Kashmir. Glacier melting is happening at a rapid pace because temperatures are rising in the Himalayan region, and glaciers are not getting recharged; they are receding. More glaciers are under heavy stress, and temperatures in early summers are high. Earlier, when temperatures went above 30, there was an auto-cut system, and rain used to happen that auto-cut no longer exists now.' The Agriculture and Horticulture Department in Jammu and Kashmir has acknowledged that water deficits, worsened by climate change, have significantly impacted crop production as per data, paddy cultivation has declined from 162,000 hectares in 110,000 hectares 2012 to in 2023, and there are 50% losses in apple orchards in Kashmir, prompting farmers to shift to less water-intensive crops. Departments are also encouraging farmers to transition from water-heavy crops like paddy to drought-resistant and less water-dependent crops. Sartaj Ahmad, Director of Agriculture, said, "It's global warming and we are part of it, and its effect is seen here also. Temperatures are expected to be very hot, and we are preparing for it for the climate slot, agriculture, and those crops that need less water. This is a possibility that we can come out of this situation. The water which will be available by this suspension of this water treaty will be significantly utilized for the development of agriculture for the whole of Jammu and Kashmir.' In those crises, the suspension of the Indus Waters Treaty by India following a terror attack in Pahalgam has sparked optimism among Kashmiris, mostly farmers, for improved access to water for agriculture and hydropower, amid growing water shortages exacerbated by global warming. Locals, including farmers and residents, now feel that Kashmiris will have access to their rivers. The suspension has raised hopes that India could redirect water from those rivers for local use in Jammu and Kashmir, potentially alleviating shortages for agriculture and boosting hydropower projects. About 70% of Kashmir's population depends on farming, relying on the Jhelum, Chenab, and the Indus River for irrigation. Kashmiri farmers hope India will redirect more water from the Jhelum and Chenab for irrigation. Currently, only 15-20% of the Jhelum's flow is used in Kashmir due to treaty restrictions, with most water flowing to Pakistan. Farmers now see potential for new canals or reservoirs to boost irrigation, potentially increasing cultivable land by 10-15%. Rashid Rahil Member of farmers association Kashmir expert said, "The farmers of Kashmir from last many years had gone through heavy losses because of dryness if the water is used for them a good crop will be seen and we can hope that new power projects and power production will increase and which only will not help Jammu Kashmir but we supply electricity to many parts of country. Overall, we can say that suspension of the Indus Water Treaty will help the people of Kashmir.' Suspension could allow India to expand power projects, addressing power shortages worsened by climate-induced low river flows during dry seasons, and can produce more power, which will end power crises in Jammu and Kashmir as well as in northern India. Besides, the Agricultural and Horticulture sector of Jammu and Kashmir will bloom more.
Hindustan Times
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
After rains bring down temps, MeT predicts hot, humid weather in J&K from Friday
After intermittent rains in Jammu and Kashmir for three days bringing down the temperatures below normal, the meteorological centre(MeT) has now predicted improvement in wet weather from Friday. From July 11-13, the weather is expected to be hot and humid with a spell of light rain and thundershower at scattered places, said MeT expert. (Representative) The rains continued in parts of J&K with Kathua recording 174.8 mm rains, Samba 96 mm and Jammu 37.7 mm in the 24 hours preceding Thursday morning, while parts of the Himalayan valley, including Baramulla and Sopore, also received light to moderate rains during the day. The rains which started Monday evening brought relief from the extreme heatwave prevailing across the Kashmir valley since June 9. The temperatures have plunged to below normal after breaking a record high of 72 years. The MeT informed that summer capital Srinagar on Thursday recorded a maximum of 28 degree Celsius, some 1.7 degrees below normal. 'While the southern resort of Pahalgam witnessed a day temperature of 23.4°C, the northern resort of Gulmarg was cooler at 17.4°C,' a MeT official said. Kashmir valley has been experiencing multiple bouts of heatwave this summer — first between May 18 to 27 and then from June 9 onwards — breaking decades old temperature records and severely affecting the life of people. On July 5, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 37.4°C— the highest in over seven decades and the third-highest ever recorded in the city. The MeT has now predicted improvement in wet weather from Friday for three days. 'From July 11-13, the weather is expected to be hot and humid with a spell of light rain and thundershower at scattered places,' said director MeT Mukhtar Ahmad in an update. He said that heavy rains may return from July 14. 'Intermittent one or two spells of light to moderate rains and thundershowers at many places with intense showers/heavy rain at few places from July 14-16,' he said. There is possibility of intense showers at few places of J&K with possibility of heavy to very heavy rain at isolated places of Jammu division during the above period. 'There are chances of flash floods at few vulnerable places with landslides, mudslides and shooting stones,' he said. Farmers have been advised to suspend irrigation & other farm operations during the above period.
Indian Express
05-07-2025
- Climate
- Indian Express
Valley swelters: Srinagar city sees highest day temperature in 7 decades, Pahalgam simmers too
Srinagar city recorded its highest day temperature in over seven decades on Saturday, with a maximum temperature of 37.4 degrees Celsius. The tourist resort of Pahalgam recorded its highest-ever day temperature. This comes after the Valley witnessed its hottest June in five decades. The Meteorological Department said that Srinagar city recorded the third-highest day temperature since 1892. In 1953, the city recorded a temperature of 37.7 degrees Celsius on the same day (July 5), just slightly higher than Saturday's temperature. The highest-ever temperature in Srinagar was recorded on July 10, 1946, when the city recorded a maximum temperature of 38.3 degrees Celsius. Met officials also said that the south Kashmir resort of Kokernag recorded the second-highest maximum temperature at 34 degrees Celsius. The highest was recorded on July 28 last year. The soaring temperatures in Pahalgam coincide with the annual Amarnath pilgrimage. Speaking to The Indian Express earlier, Director, Meteorological Department Srinagar, Mukhtar Ahmad, had said, 'This was the hottest June since 1978. The average day temperatures for June this year stood between 32 and 33 degrees Celsius. It is some three degrees above normal. The average minimum temperatures, too, have stayed on the higher side.' The heat has forced the government to advance summer vacations in educational institutions by two weeks to a month. While the schools were shut for summer break from June 23, higher education institutions were closed from June 25. Usually, schools would shut for summer vacations in the second week of July, while higher education institutions would shut in the first or second week of August. July and August are typically the hottest months in the Valley. The government said it will observe weather conditions before deciding whether to open schools after the summer break or extend the vacations.
India.com
05-07-2025
- Climate
- India.com
Heatwave In Kashmir Breaks 72-Year-Old Record, Temperature Soars To 37.4 Degrees Celsius
Kashmir recorded a temperature of 37.4 degrees Celsius after 72 years, which was the hottest day of this season. Climate change, temperature, and prolonged dry spells in Kashmir broke many records this year. Sales of air conditioners and coolers increased by 200 percent in Kashmir, where people usually did not even use fans; today, almost every house has an Air Conditioner (AC). On the other hand, Srinagar recorded a temperature of 37.4 degrees Celsius, the highest July temperature since 1953. It is also the third-highest July temperature since 1892. The data shows that not only Srinagar but also hill stations in Kashmir are recording the hottest July since 1892, with an average maximum temperature of 37 degrees Celsius and a minimum of 22 degrees Celsius, which is the second hottest July in 133 years. Temperatures in Kashmir have been above 35 degrees Celsius for the past 25 days and today it touched the previous highest of 37.4 degrees Celsius in 1953. Temperature Rise To Rain Deficit What is worrying is not just the rise in temperature but also the 60 to 99 percent rainfall deficit in Kashmir from December to June 2025. This has led to a sharp drop in the water level in the Jhelum River, affecting agriculture, horticulture, and tourism. Paddy fields are drying up, and apple production is also likely to be affected. 'Our winters are also getting warmer and even the monsoon is getting warmer, over time this extreme heat will increase and the temperature will rise, there was less snowfall in winter, January was dry and warm, May to June has been warm, and the dry period has been warm throughout the region,' said IMD Director Mukhtar Ahmad. Kashmir's Climate Kashmir's climate is warming at twice the pace of the global average; it is estimated that the temperature will increase more in 2025. The mountainous regions are particularly vulnerable to global warming. This year Every month the temperature was above normal and at times it was hotter than traditionally hot areas like Jammu or parts of Rajasthan. Those drastic changes in the climate have also affected the lifestyle of Kashmir. A few years ago, only 10 percent of the hotels in Kashmir had air conditioners while 30 percent had ceiling fans. Old hotels in Kashmir's hill stations like Pahalgam, Gulmarg, and Sonamarg did not have fans at all. But now, not only commercial properties but every second house in Kashmir has ACs, water coolers, and ceiling fans. The sale of these items has increased by almost 200 percent. The sale of air conditioners and water coolers in Kashmir has surged due to the unprecedented heat. Manzoor Ahmad, an AC dealer, said, 'It is very hot, I have seen such heat for the first time. We have sold all our stock, and only a few coolers and ACs are left with us. The demand for ACs has increased a lot, every third person is asking for ACs.' Rafiq Ahmad, another AC dealer, stated, 'There is a lot of demand for ACs and coolers because the trend has changed; people are demanding ACs and coolers, every house has ACs now, the demand is high because of the increasing heat.' For the first time, air conditioners and water coolers have become a necessity in Kashmir. Dealers said their sales have increased from 10 to 15 units per day to around 200 units during these peak summer days. Historically, rising temperatures have made these things a necessity for the common people. A customer named Ghulam Mahuddin said, 'The weather has changed so we need it we can't sit at home the children feel very hot so we want to give them some relief, I think I haven't seen such heat in 50 years If we don't have such facilities it is difficult to live now.' Another customer, Ejaz Ahmad, said, 'The weather has changed. We used to have rain here, which usually keeps cool temperatures, but now it is so hot that the children are not able to study, so we thought of getting an AC installed. I have seen such heat for the first time.' The number of roadside juice vendors and ice cream sellers has also increased in Srinagar, Anantnag, and Baramulla. These vendors serve fresh fruit juices like sugarcane, mangoes, oranges to locals and tourists to get relief from the heat. Jhelum River, the main water source of Kashmir, has about 30 percent less water level than normal. This has created a drought-like situation and Kashmir's apple growers, and other farmers are quite worried.
