The summer in Kashmir is getting hotter and hotter, causing losses to people and farms

Zaina Begum stood helplessly beside her withered rice fields.

She is a farmer in the Pulwama area of Kashmir University managed in India and has been waiting for rainfall for more than a month in hopes of saving her crops from death.

So when it finally rained earlier this week, she was hopeful.

“But by then it was too late,” she said. “Our land is completely dry.”

A strong heat wave caught Kashmir, a picturesque Himalayan region dotted with glaciers, known for its cool climate as temperatures soared to record levels this month.

The region recorded its maximum temperature during the day at 37.4C (99.32F) in 70 years – at least 7C above the seasonal average.

The valley also witnessed the hottest June in 50 years, prompting authorities to close schools and universities for two weeks.

Earlier this week, some breathing opportunities came after heavy rains in parts of the region, but experts say the relief is temporary and warns of higher temperatures in the coming days.

Changing weather patterns have had a devastating impact on locals, most of whom rely on agriculture to make a living. Many are working to keep their business while others complain about product quality degradation, causing huge losses.

Ms. Begum’s family has been growing rice fields (a highly water-intensive crop) on a single acre of land in Chersoo Village for decades.

But over the past five years, they have not had a healthy harvest as the rainfall gradually becomes more unstable.

“This summer, it feels like our worst fears have come true.” “We have nothing.”

According to a 2021 study, the highest temperature in Kashmir rose by 2C between 1980 and 2020, indicating an average increase of 0.5C per decade.

Mukhtar Ahmad, head of the Indian Meteorological Bureau Centre in Srinagar City, said the region has witnessed three heat waves this season, causing the main rivers and streams to dry out.

Signs of damage can be seen everywhere.

In the Bandipole region, the withered apple tree dot dot ali Mohammad covers 15 acres.

Twenty years ago, he decided to plant rice fields in an apple orchard because he thought the weather and water supply had become too unreliable to grow rice.

But now, even his apple crop (which usually requires less water) is struggling to survive.

“The orchard needs water at least three times a month, but in the past two months, there has been no rain and the irrigation canal has dried up.”

The hot heat also causes losses to residents, who are not used to living in such high temperatures.

“I have never seen such a strong heat wave in my life,” said Parveez Ahmad, 63, who lives in northern Kashmir.

Ahmad had to be taken to the hospital a few days ago after Ahmad complained about severe breathing difficulties.

“The doctor told me that it was caused by heat and humidity,” he said.

Environmentalists say climate change has been affecting the region, leading to extreme weather events and long-term drying in winter and summer.

last year, The snowy mountains of the area are dressed in strange brown and barren For months, the annual snowfall has been delayed.

While warmer winters lead to less snowfall, summers exacerbate the melting of glaciers, destroy water availability and put human health and crops at risk, glacier and hydrologist Mohammad Farooq Azam said.

Mr Azam added: “These trends are not only seasonal anomalies – they represent a systematic shift that may have long-term impacts on water security, agriculture and biodiversity in Kashmir.”

Mr Azam explained that most of the winter rainfall in Kashmir comes from Western interference – storms that form on the Mediterranean and move eastward. But these systems are becoming weaker and more frequent, reducing delays in snowfall and melting.

“This exposes exposed bare ground faster than usual, which absorbs more heat. As glaciers shrink and snow accumulate, the land reflects less sunlight and captures more heat, making the area warmer,” he said.

Jasia Bashir, a professor at the University of Islamic Science and Technology in the Awantipora district, pointed out that Kashmir has little contribution to global carbon emissions because its industries are limited and rely mainly on agriculture and tourism.

However, climate change has hit the region hard – making it a victim of the crisis, she said, playing a role in creation.

“This tells you that climate change is a global phenomenon, not limited to any particular region.”

Having said that, the region has also witnessed rapid urbanization in recent years.

Extensive farmland and forests have been replaced by concrete buildings, thus reducing the region’s ability to naturally regulate local climate.

According to a report by Global Forest Watch (GFW), the wider Jamu and Kashmir region lost 0.39% of its total tree cover between 2001 and 2023 due to deforestation and forest fires.

In addition, government data shows that Kashmir felled 600,000 trees in the five years after it was identified as river encroachment.

Ms. Bashir said that urban areas in Kashmir are also experiencing higher energy demands, especially for air conditioning, which increases greenhouse gas emissions.

“This triggers a vicious cycle: the rise in temperature leads to greater energy use, which increases more emissions and further warming,” she added.

Critics say that despite the increasing risks and fewer environmental issues make headlines, they are still not a priority for Kashmir politicians.

Tanvir Sadiq, a spokesman for the elected government in the region, denied this and said the government is “very serious” to view climate change as.

“Climate change is a global phenomenon that governments alone cannot cope with,” he added. “Nevertheless, we are still exploring all available options to minimize its impact on people.”

But for farmers like Ms. Bergm, any action must happen quickly.

“Otherwise, we will be doomed to fail,” she said.

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