Aatira Kakroo
JAMMU: As the sun beats down relentlessly, Jammu is grappling with one of its most severe Junes in recent years. With temperatures consistently crossing 43°C—well above the seasonal average of 37°C—the city is facing not just discomfort, but a growing public health challenge.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Jammu has witnessed over 10 days above 40°C in the first two weeks of June alone—sharply up from the decade’s average of six such days. With the southwest monsoon stalled in central India and no significant rainfall for over three weeks, the city’s residents are braving both scorching temperatures and prolonged dryness.
The impact is visible across hospitals, households, and marketplaces. At the Government Medical College (GMC), more than 350 cases of heat-related illness have been recorded since the beginning of the month. From dehydration and fatigue to early signs of heatstroke, the symptoms are serious—at least 20 patients have required hospitalisation.
Yet, in the face of this heat crisis, residents are responding with a mix of traditional wisdom and modern innovation.
Earthen pots, or matkas, are once again a staple in homes. Vendors in Parade Market and Gole Market report a 40% spike in sales over last summer. Alongside, khus curtains—woven from fragrant vetiver grass and kept moist to cool incoming air—are seeing a revival, particularly in older parts of the city.
Street-side stalls selling shikanji, jaljeera, and chuskis are bustling. These modest drinks, long trusted for their cooling properties, are helping locals stay hydrated and healthy. Jaljeera, prized for aiding digestion and cooling the body, is often sold out by mid-morning.
However, not everyone has equal access to relief.
Power cuts—especially in areas like Talab Tillo, Janipur, Bishnah, and R.S. Pura—are compounding the crisis, leaving many without the means to run fans, let alone coolers or air-conditioners. The Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) has issued advisories urging the public to limit heavy appliance use during peak hours (12 noon to 4 pm) to prevent transformer overloads.
Meanwhile, sales of solar-powered inverters and battery-operated fans are surging. But for lower-income families, these remain financially out of reach. While larger commercial complexes are shielded by generator backups, smaller businesses and homes remain far more exposed.
In response, the Jammu Municipal Corporation (JMC) has stepped in with water tankers for underserved areas. The Public Health Engineering (PHE) department has also been instructed to maintain uninterrupted water supply. Educational institutions are adapting too—some have declared early vacations, while others have moved to reduced or online schedules during the hottest parts of the day.
But the rising mercury is also raising bigger questions.
With just 8.6% tree cover, according to the Forest Survey of India, Jammu falls far below the 14% national average for urban greenery. Environmentalists warn this makes the city more vulnerable to heat extremes and are pushing for urgent urban greening drives, rooftop gardens, and climate-resilient housing.
Climate scientists point to broader shifts. Experts from the Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology link this year’s heat pattern to climate change—citing rising land surface temperatures and weakening monsoon systems. These trends, they warn, will only grow more severe in the years ahead.
In the meantime, public health officials are urging residents to take basic precautions: stay indoors during peak heat hours, wear light cotton clothing, drink plenty of fluids, and avoid unnecessary exertion.
“People must take the heat seriously,” cautions Dr. Nidhi Sharma, a senior physician at GMC. “Even a short time outdoors without water or shade can cause dangerous complications.”
As Jammu waits for the long-overdue monsoon, it is clear that coping with summer heat is no longer just about endurance. It is about preparation, community response, and long-term climate planning.
Jammu has always prided itself on its resilience. In today’s climate reality, that resilience must evolve into readiness.
