Kashmir is suffering unprecedented heatwaves with temperatures hitting 37.4°C (99.3°F) – the highest in 70 years – causing major rivers and irrigation canals to dry up. Farmers like Zaina Begum report complete crop failures as paddy fields wither without rain, while apple orchards also struggle despite being drought-resistant. The extreme heat has led to hospitalizations, with residents like 63-year-old Parveez Ahmad experiencing severe breathlessness requiring emergency care. Experts attribute the crisis to climate change accelerating glacial melt and disrupting traditional weather patterns. Rapid urbanization and deforestation have further reduced the region’s natural climate regulation, creating a vicious cycle of rising temperatures and energy demands.