The Himalayan region grapples with record temperatures, endangering agriculture and posing serious health risks for its residents.
**Kashmir Faces Increasing Heat Stress Threatening Health and Agriculture**
**Kashmir Faces Increasing Heat Stress Threatening Health and Agriculture**
A relentless heatwave is impacting the health and livelihoods of farmers in Kashmir.
In recent months, a severe heatwave has descended upon Kashmir, a region traditionally known for its cool climate and stunning landscapes. Farmers, like Zaina Begum in Pulwama district, are feeling the brunt of this climatic shift. After enduring a month of drought, she was hopeful when rainfall finally arrived this week, only to find that her crops had already succumbed to the dry conditions. "It's too late. Our land has dried up," voiced Ms. Begum, reflecting the desperation that grips many in the area.
Kashmir has recorded its highest daytime temperature in over 70 years, peaking at 37.4 °C (99.32 °F)—a staggering 7 °C above the seasonal average. June marked the hottest month in half a century, prompting the temporary closure of educational institutions as locals struggled to cope with the extreme heat. Though some areas experienced heavy rains recently, experts warn that such relief is short-lived, with forecasts predicting even higher temperatures in the near future.
The changing climate has severely impacted the agricultural practices of locals who depend on farming for their income. Many of them are abandoning their fields due to diminished produce quality, sustaining significant economic losses. Ms. Begum remarked that her family hasn't seen a viable paddy yield in five consecutive years, correlating with increasingly erratic rainfall patterns. "It's as if our worst fears have come true; we have nothing left," she lamented.
As observed by Mukhtar Ahmad, head of the weather department in Srinagar, the number of heatwaves this season is alarming—three already recorded, severely affecting vital rivers and irrigation systems. In Bandipore, farmer Ali Mohammad has also witnessed the negative impacts on his once-thriving apple orchard, where increased temperatures affect even the water-sufficient crops he had turned to after abandoning rice cultivation.
The unaccustomed heatwaves have led to healthcare challenges, with locals, like 63-year-old Parveez Ahmad, experiencing serious health issues linked to the sweltering conditions. "I'm feeling lifelong heat, it's unbearable," he remarked after a recent health scare attributed to excessive temperatures.
Climate change remains a pressing concern affecting Kashmir, with environmentalists emphasizing the growing frequency of extreme weather events. An investigation shows that between 1980 and 2020, temperatures in the region rose by an average of 2 °C. This rise disrupts the delicate balance of water availability and agricultural stability, with glaciers melting at accelerated rates.
Despite contributing minimally to global carbon emissions, Kashmir faces severe repercussions from climate change, a crisis it did not significantly contribute to. Rapid urbanization, coupled with the loss of significant tree cover—approximately 0.39% since 2001—exacerbates the situation by reducing the region’s natural climate regulation capacities.
A growing number of residents have begun purchasing air conditioning units in response to escalating temperatures, creating an energy demand that further elevates greenhouse gas emissions—contributing to a cycle of environmental degradation.
Despite heightened risks, critics argue that environmental issues remain sidelined in political arenas. Tanvir Sadiq, a government spokesperson, contended that the administration is taking climate change seriously, working on strategies to mitigate its impact. However, farmers like Ms. Begum insist that urgent action is necessary. "If help does not come soon, our future is bleak," she warned, signaling a call to action.
Kashmir has recorded its highest daytime temperature in over 70 years, peaking at 37.4 °C (99.32 °F)—a staggering 7 °C above the seasonal average. June marked the hottest month in half a century, prompting the temporary closure of educational institutions as locals struggled to cope with the extreme heat. Though some areas experienced heavy rains recently, experts warn that such relief is short-lived, with forecasts predicting even higher temperatures in the near future.
The changing climate has severely impacted the agricultural practices of locals who depend on farming for their income. Many of them are abandoning their fields due to diminished produce quality, sustaining significant economic losses. Ms. Begum remarked that her family hasn't seen a viable paddy yield in five consecutive years, correlating with increasingly erratic rainfall patterns. "It's as if our worst fears have come true; we have nothing left," she lamented.
As observed by Mukhtar Ahmad, head of the weather department in Srinagar, the number of heatwaves this season is alarming—three already recorded, severely affecting vital rivers and irrigation systems. In Bandipore, farmer Ali Mohammad has also witnessed the negative impacts on his once-thriving apple orchard, where increased temperatures affect even the water-sufficient crops he had turned to after abandoning rice cultivation.
The unaccustomed heatwaves have led to healthcare challenges, with locals, like 63-year-old Parveez Ahmad, experiencing serious health issues linked to the sweltering conditions. "I'm feeling lifelong heat, it's unbearable," he remarked after a recent health scare attributed to excessive temperatures.
Climate change remains a pressing concern affecting Kashmir, with environmentalists emphasizing the growing frequency of extreme weather events. An investigation shows that between 1980 and 2020, temperatures in the region rose by an average of 2 °C. This rise disrupts the delicate balance of water availability and agricultural stability, with glaciers melting at accelerated rates.
Despite contributing minimally to global carbon emissions, Kashmir faces severe repercussions from climate change, a crisis it did not significantly contribute to. Rapid urbanization, coupled with the loss of significant tree cover—approximately 0.39% since 2001—exacerbates the situation by reducing the region’s natural climate regulation capacities.
A growing number of residents have begun purchasing air conditioning units in response to escalating temperatures, creating an energy demand that further elevates greenhouse gas emissions—contributing to a cycle of environmental degradation.
Despite heightened risks, critics argue that environmental issues remain sidelined in political arenas. Tanvir Sadiq, a government spokesperson, contended that the administration is taking climate change seriously, working on strategies to mitigate its impact. However, farmers like Ms. Begum insist that urgent action is necessary. "If help does not come soon, our future is bleak," she warned, signaling a call to action.
