Srinagar: As Jammu and Kashmir grapples with a persistent heatwave, Jammu on Wednesday emerged among the hottest places globally, recording a scorching 44.4°C — the highest of the season so far.
Independent weather forecaster Faizan Arif Keng said Jammu ranked 68th on the global list of hottest spots, as temperatures remained significantly above normal across the region for the third consecutive day.
The intense heat also pushed Qazigund — the gateway town to the Kashmir Valley — to new extremes. With the mercury hitting 34.6°C, it equalled its third-highest recorded temperature for June since 1962, matching the mark last seen on June 23, 2023.
According to Keng, Qazigund’s second-highest temperature for June stands at 35.3°C recorded on June 27, 1988, while the all-time high remains 35.7°C, recorded a day earlier on June 26 that year.
Other areas also witnessed sweltering conditions. Srinagar sizzled at 33.9°C, Pahalgam at 28.8°C, and tourist destinations like Kokernag and Kupwara touched 32.8°C. Even Gulmarg, usually among the cooler locations, reported a high of 24.0°C.
In the Jammu division, Katra recorded 40.6°C, Banihal 34.1°C, Batote 33.3°C, and Bhaderwah 34.4°C.