Srinagar, June 21 (UNI) With Kashmir experiencing an unprecedented heatwave, the J&K government on Saturday announced 15 days summer vacation for government schools across Kashmir that would begin from June 23, officials said on Saturday.
Over the past few days Kashmir has been witnessing abnormally high temperatures across various districts, with most places recording mercury levels well above normal. On Friday the summer capital Srinagar recorded the highest June temperature in 20 years.
In wake of the heatwave, J&K government announced 15-day summer vacation for government schools.
“Consequent upon the approval conveyed by the competent authority, it is hereby ordered that all the Government and recognized Private Schools up to Higher Secondary level functioning in the Kashmir Division shall observe summer vacation w.e.f 23-06-2025 to 07-07-2025,” a government order read.
Owing to the intense heatwave, the education authorities in Kashmir had recently revised the school timings. In municipal areas, the classwork is to start from 8 am to 1 pm and in the areas outside the municipal limits, the timings is from 8.30 am to 1.30 pm.
Meanwhile, maximum temperatures in most parts of the Valley on Friday breached normal levels by significant margins, causing discomfort among residents.
In Srinagar, the summer capital, the mercury touched 34.8°C, which is 5.6°C above normal for this time of year. Qazigund, the gateway town to Kashmir, recorded a scorching 35.0°C, making it 7.6°C above normal, one of the highest deviations seen this season.
The popular tourist destination of Pahalgam, registered a high of 29.6°C, 4.8°C above normal, while Kupwara in north Kashmir recorded 34.5°C, also 4.8°C above the usual average.
Southern Kashmir’s Kokernag town reported 34.2°C, a sharp 7.0°C above normal.
Gulmarg, the famed hill resort and skiing hub, wasn’t spared either. The hill town saw the temperature rise to 25.7°C, which is 5.7°C above normal, unusual for a place that typically offers respite from the summer heat.
The Independent weather observer Faizan Arif said Kokernag recorded a maximum temperature of 34.2°C, just 0.7°C below the highest June temperature ever recorded in Kokernag.
“Today's temperature now is the second all-time highest June temperature. The all-time highest temperature was recorded on 25 June 2005,” he said.
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