SRINAGAR: While temperatures in the Kashmir Valley continue to climb gradually, the Jammu region is facing an intense heatwave, with Samba district recording a season-high of 44 degrees Celsius on Sunday.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), dry and hot weather is likely to persist across Jammu and Kashmir over the next five days. A brief spell of wind and thundershowers is expected in parts of Jammu on the evening of June 9, offering some short-lived relief.
In the Valley, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 31.9°C on Sunday—around four degrees above normal. Tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam remained cooler, registering 22.2°C and 27.8°C, respectively. Kokernag touched 30.9°C.
However, the heat has been much more severe in the Jammu division. Jammu city recorded 42.7°C on Sunday, up from 40.2°C a day earlier. Samba was the hottest district, with temperatures peaking at nearly 44°C. Reasi followed with 38.5°C, Katra with 38.2°C, and Rajouri at 35.9°C.
Other districts in the region also saw high temperatures: Bhaderwah, Banihal, and Batote hovered around 31–32°C, while Kishtwar recorded 30.9°C and Poonch reached 35.4°C.
This ongoing heatwave is the most intense of the season so far in the Jammu region. Weather officials warn that temperatures are expected to rise further in the coming days.
Meanwhile, the monsoon is reportedly progressing faster than usual. It is likely to reach Jammu and Kashmir by the third week of June, with pre-monsoon showers expected around June 20–21 in parts of Jammu, according to the agricultural meteorological outlook.
