Jammu Records Season’s Hottest Day at 42.2°C; School Timings Altered Due to Heat Wave

On Monday, Jammu experienced its hottest day of the season, with the maximum temperature soaring to 42.2 degrees Celsius, according to an official report. This extreme heat has led authorities to alter school schedules to offer relief to students. The maximum temperature in Jammu, the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, was 3.9 degrees Celsius above the seasonal average, a spokesperson from the Meteorological office noted. Additionally, the minimum temperature rose by a degree above normal, settling at 25.1 degrees Celsius.

The city has been enduring heatwave conditions for the past week, particularly since May 16, when the daytime temperature exceeded 40 degrees Celsius for the first time this season. This rise in temperatures has prompted local residents to call for an early summer vacation for schools. In response, the Directorate of School Education in Jammu adjusted school hours in the region’s summer zones due to the extreme heat.

The new school timings, from 8 am to noon, were implemented from Monday for all government and private recognized schools up to the higher secondary level.

In Katra, the base camp for pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine, the temperatures reached a high of 37.6 degrees Celsius and a low of 24 degrees.

Meanwhile, Kashmir continued to enjoy pleasant weather, with a fresh spell of rain across various parts of the Valley, including Srinagar, late on Sunday, attracting many tourists. Srinagar, the summer capital, recorded a daytime temperature of 28.5 degrees Celsius and a nighttime temperature of 12.4 degrees Celsius. These temperatures were 3.3 and 1.0 degrees Celsius above normal, respectively, according to the official.