Experts Warn of Growing Nocturnal Heat Amid Climate Concerns
Diplomat Correspondent
Srinagar, (DD): In a striking indicator of changing climate patterns, Srinagar on Saturday night recorded its highest-ever minimum temperature for the month of July at 25.2°C, matching the previous record set on July 21, 1988.
According to Kashmir Weather, an independent weather tracking platform, the second-highest July night temperature stands at 24.8°C, recorded on 29 July 2024. Notably, the years 2022, 2024, and now 2025 are among the hottest Julys on record in the Kashmir Valley — a trend that experts say cannot be ignored.
Independent weatherman Faizan Arif, who runs Kashmir Weather, described the record as “alarming but not surprising.”
“We are seeing a clear shift in temperature patterns, particularly with warmer nights becoming more frequent. What used to be anomalies are now becoming the new normal,” Arif told this reporter. “This kind of persistent nocturnal heat is concerning because it affects health, agriculture, and energy demand.”
Arif noted that the lack of nighttime cooling is particularly worrisome in regions like Kashmir that traditionally enjoy temperate summer nights. The unusual warmth has also been compounded by a prolonged dry spell and weak western disturbances.
Experts are calling for greater attention to localised climate data, improved urban planning, and sustainable water management as Kashmir experiences unprecedented shifts in its weather behaviour.
The night-time heat has added to the discomfort of residents already grappling with high day temperatures during a prolonged heatwave across Jammu and Kashmir.(DD)