Srinagar, (Indian administered Kashmir) — In a striking indicator of the intensifying climate crisis in the Himalayan region, Srinagar on Thursday recorded its third-highest temperature ever for the month of May, with mercury touching 34.4°C, according to independent meteorological observers.
Faizan Arif Keng, a well-known independent weather forecaster based in Kashmir, confirmed that Thursday’s temperature of 34.4°C marks the highest recorded in the Valley this season, and is only marginally higher than the 34.3°C recorded on May 28, 1971.
“This is the third-highest maximum temperature in May recorded at the Srinagar station in the last 133 years,” Keng said in a statement shared with journalists and posted across social media platforms, where his climate data regularly informs public discourse.
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The all-time May record in Srinagar remains 35.0°C, set in May 1894. However, the latest data underscores a concerning pattern of rising temperatures in a region historically known for its mild summers.
Heatwave Sweeps Kashmir
Jammu and Kashmir is currently in the grip of a severe heatwave, with cities and rural districts alike facing extreme weather conditions not typically associated with the region at this time of year.
In response, local health departments and disaster management officials have issued advisories, urging the public to avoid direct sun exposure, stay hydrated, and limit outdoor activities during peak hours. Schools in various districts have also adjusted their operating hours due to the oppressive heat.
“This level of heat is uncommon for Kashmir, especially in May,” said Dr. Samina Qadri, a public health official in Srinagar. “We are monitoring vulnerable populations closely, particularly the elderly and children who are more prone to heatstroke.”
Environmental Concerns Grow
Climate scientists and environmental activists in the region have linked the increasing frequency of such heat spikes to broader trends in climate change, deforestation, and unplanned urban development.
“From glacial retreat to erratic rainfall and now record-breaking heat, the signs are all around us. The Himalayas are no longer shielded from the climate crisis,” said Dr. Asif Maqbool, a climate researcher at the University of Kashmir.
Independent observers have raised alarm over the lack of robust infrastructure and policy preparedness to cope with extreme weather events in Kashmir, a region already reeling from ecological and political stressors.
The rising temperatures serve as a wake-up call, say civil society groups. “What we are witnessing is not just a weather anomaly, but a long-term shift. There needs to be stronger governmental response and local adaptation strategies,” said Farhat Shah, director of the Kashmir Environmental Watch, an NGO based in Baramulla.
