SRINAGAR: Ongoing climate change in Kashmir has led to a prolonged dry spell in parts of Jammu and Kashmir, resulting in severe heat wave conditions, breaking decades-old records for the month of September in the Union Territory.
With no active Monsoon activity and the absence of the Western Disturbance, there has been a sudden increase in the maximum temperature across Jammu and Kashmir, said the Deputy Director of the Meteorological department (MeT).
Experts have attributed the prevailing weather conditions to climate change. “The main driver of this sudden change in weather conditions is climate change. Erratic weather conditions are a possibility due to climate change. For example, snowfall was recorded in November 2018-19, which can be attributed to climate change. Therefore, the current heat wave is also a part of these erratic weather conditions,” said Dr Irfan Rashid, an expert.
“In the coming autumn, Kashmir may witness various weather events as part of ongoing regional climate change,” Rashid added.
He further stated that the weather system might have weakened, leading to the prolonged dry spell, but it requires thorough meteorological research.
Regarding climate change, he mentioned that the region relies heavily on conventional fossil fuels, which has resulted in increased regional emissions. “Governments and policymakers need to address this issue to reduce the carbon footprint and help mitigate the situation,” he added.
Deputy Director of MeT, Dr Mukhtar Ahmad, told KNO that the current heat wave is a result of the prolonged dry spell, with no active Monsoon activity and the absence of Western Disturbances contributing to the prevailing weather conditions.
“The present heatwave conditions are expected to continue for the next week. Hot and dry weather conditions are forecasted until September 15, after which the weather conditions are expected to improve,” he said.
Furthermore, Srinagar has once again recorded the hottest day in September. According to the Independent Weather Forecaster, Faizan Arif Keng, Srinagar has recorded the second-highest maximum temperature in September since 1891. (KNO)
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