Kashmir recorded its hottest February day in history on Saturday as temperatures in Srinagar soared to 21°C.
The maximum temperature in the summer capital was 10 degrees above the seasonal average, shattering the previous all-time February record of 20.6°C set in 2016.
Other parts of the Valley, including the high-altitude ski resort of Gulmarg, also witnessed unprecedented warmth. Gulmarg registered a maximum of 11.5°C, nearly 10 degrees above its normal temperature and surpassing its previous record of 11.4°C from 1993.
The sudden spike in temperature has caused significant alarm among farmers and environmentalists.
While February typically brings heavy snowfall and extreme cold, the region has remained exceptionally dry this year with a significant rainfall deficit. Meteorological Department Director Mukhtar Ahmad noted that temperatures may rise by another one or two degrees in the coming days as a persistent dry spell continues through the end of the month.
Weather experts highlighted that the current conditions are more typical of mid-April than late winter.
Independent expert Faizan Arif described the anomaly as a heatwave, noting that the intensity and duration of winter have shrunk considerably due to climate change. The lack of significant snowfall during the traditional harsh winter period has already depleted mountain water reservoirs. With no rain forecast in the immediate future, agriculturalists and orchardists are increasingly worried about irrigation and water security for the upcoming summer months.