Jammu Kashmir is currently experiencing unprecedented weather patterns in January, with extreme temperature fluctuations breaking longstanding records.
Banihal reported a remarkable maximum temperature of 23.4 degrees Celsius, surpassing January norms by 13.1 degrees Celsius and shattering the previous all-time high recorded in 2003.
In contrast, Jammu City within the same region is witnessing unexpected low temperatures, recording a maximum of 8.6 degrees Celsius today. This marks the 5th all-time lowest maximum temperature in January, being 9.3 degrees Celsius below the normal level, with the record set at 5°C in 1986.
The significant temperature rise in Banihal has raised concerns across Jammu and Kashmir about reduced snowfall and warmer days, potentially impacting glacier volumes—critical water sources for the region’s rivers and streams.
This unusual temperature surge in Banihal aligns with a broader trend of rising temperatures observed in various parts of the Kashmir Valley, including Srinagar, Pahalgam, Qazigund, Kokernag, Kupwara, and Gulmarg. Srinagar, for instance, recorded a temperature of 15.8 degrees Celsius, a substantial 4.7 degrees Celsius above the usual for this time of the year.
The situation has sparked alarms for the entire region, with implications for water resources and environmental stability.