The summer heatwave has intensified across Jammu and Kashmir, with temperatures in several parts of the region soaring above 40°C. Even the revered Vaishno Devi shrine has not been spared, as temperatures have crossed the 40°C mark, making it unusually hot for a hill region.
On Wednesday, Jammu recorded a sweltering maximum temperature of 44.4°C for the second consecutive day. Other districts in the Jammu division also witnessed extreme heat: Samba reported 46.8°C, Udhampur 42.4°C, Ramban 41.9°C, and Rajouri 40.2°C. Meanwhile, Srinagar experienced a maximum of 33.9°C and a minimum of 17.6°C.
According to the India Meteorological Department, no significant relief is expected before June 13. Light changes in weather patterns, including scattered rain and gusty winds, are forecasted around that date. Until then, temperatures across the region are expected to remain 5 to 7 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average.
The heatwave has severely impacted daily life in Jammu, with the oppressive heat felt from early morning until late evening. Conditions in many areas resemble an unofficial curfew as people stay indoors to avoid the scorching winds. Despite the intense daytime heat, residents in Samba have found slight comfort in the cooler nights, with minimum temperatures remaining around 25.5°C.
Elsewhere in the region, Doda district recorded a maximum temperature of 37.3°C, Reasi reached 42.2°C, and Katra, another pilgrimage site, reported a high of 40.6°C. Even the Kashmir Valley, typically cooler during this season, has been experiencing unusually high temperatures.