Srinagar, May 23 -- According to the Meteorological Department (MeT), Srinagar, the summer capital of the Union Territory, recorded a maximum temperature of 33.2degC - a staggering 7.8 degrees above the normal for this time of year. Other parts of the Valley also witnessed unusually high temperatures.

Qazigund, known as the gateway to Kashmir, reported a daytime high of 32.5degC, while Kupwara in north Kashmir registered 32.4degC. Even hill resorts weren't spared the heat. Pahalgam, typically a cool escape for tourists, touched 28.8degC, and Kokernag logged 31.5degC. Gulmarg, the Valley's popular ski destination, saw the mercury rise to 24.0degC.

In the Jammu region, a slight dip in temperature was observed, though the weather remained ...