Srinagar, Mar 8: February 2026 was among the driest on record across Jammu and Kashmir, with multiple meteorological stations reporting their lowest-ever rainfall totals for the month.
According to official data, in Srinagar, 5.3 mm of rainfall was recorded during February. With records dating back to 1901, it marked the city’s lowest February rainfall since 1960, when 5.8 mm was measured.
“This is one of the driest February in more than a century of data for Srinagar,” a Meteorological Department official said. “The persistent absence of active western disturbances significantly curtailed precipitation.”
In Jammu, no rainfall was recorded during the month.
Records dating back to 1925 show that a completely dry February has occurred only once before in 1945 -making this just the second zero-rainfall February in 101 years.
Across north Kashmir, Kupwara recorded 17.7 mm of rainfall, the lowest February total since records set in 1977, breaking the previous record low of 21.8 mm set in 1997.
In south Kashmir, Qazigund reported 13 mm, the lowest February rainfall since records began in 1963, surpassing the previous record of 31.6 mm in 2020.
Pahalgam recorded 23.4 mm, narrowly breaking its earlier February record low of 23.6 mm from 2020.
Records there date to 1979.
At Banihal in the Chenab Valley, 8.4 mm of rainfall was recorded – the lowest February total since records began in 1962, well below the previous record of 27.6 mm set in 2020.
Batote logged 18.8 mm, also its lowest February rainfall since 1978, breaking the previous record of 38.6 mm in 2020.
In the Shivalik foothills, Katra recorded no rainfall, marking its driest February since records began in 1981 and surpassing the previous record low of 5 mm in 2023.
At the high-altitude resort of Gulmarg, 48 mm of precipitation was recorded – the lowest February rainfall there since 1985, though not an all-time low. Records at the station date back to 1967.
Kokernag recorded 13 mm, making it the second-lowest February rainfall since 1978. Bhaderwah reported 49 mm, its third-lowest February rainfall since 1978.
Officials said the widespread rainfall deficit reflects a deepening dry spell across the region.
“If the dry conditions continue into early spring, there could be implications for agriculture, horticulture, and water resources,” the meteorological official said.
