Kashmir reeling under record temps; hottest July day in 25 years

Srinagar: Kashmir valley is experiencing record temperatures as intense heat sends several places here staggering. On Sunday, the valley recorded the highest July temperatures in 25 years, PTI reported,

According to the meteorological office, Srinagar city recorded a high of 36.2 degrees Celsius on Sunday. This was the hottest July day since July 9, 1999, when the mercury had settled at 37 degrees Celsius.

The hottest July day in Srinagar was recorded on July 10, 1946, with the mercury rising to 38.3 degrees Celsius.

Qazigund and Kokernag towns in south Kashmir also recorded their hottest July day on Sunday.

Qazigund noted a maximum temperature of 35.6 degrees Celsius, beating the previous high of 34.5 degrees Celsius recorded on July 11, 1988.

In Kokernag, the mercury rose to 34.1 degrees Celsius, against the previous or 33.3 degrees Celsius recorded on July 3 this year.

The mercury in this south Kashmir town had touched 33 degrees only once earlier on July 8, 1993.

The Met has forecast a spell of rain at isolated places in the Kashmir valley over the next 24 hours, which is expected to bring down the mercury.

In another news, Tihar jail authorities are said to be imposing restrictions on Kashmiri prisoners amid oppressive summer heat without adequate relief; the latest is the denial of their weekly phone calls with family members. And this is happening against court orders, too.

Despite favourable court orders allowing these phone calls, the Tihar prison administration has imposed an unwritten restriction specifically targeting Kashmiri prisoners. Families report that the prison authorities verbally informed prisoners of the abrupt cessation of phone call services, leaving them unable to communicate with their loved ones for over a week, The Wire reported.