Syllabus
GS Paper 1 – Changes in critical geographical features (including water-bodies and ice-caps) and in flora and fauna and the effects of such changes.
GS Paper 3 – Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment.
Applications where to apply?
When asked about
– Climate change and its impact on environment.- Disaster Management: link between climate change and extreme weather events.
– Concepts of Western Disturbances, El Nino, Global warming and its impact.
– Questions on Glacier Melt and Changing Himalayan Ecosystem.
Context
The article discusses the lack of snowfall in Kashmir, India, during the winter of 2023-2024. This has had a significant impact on the region, affecting tourism, agriculture, and the environment.
Source
The Indian Express | Editorial dated 16- January 2024
Why Kashmir and Ladakh are without snow this winter, its implications
Winter precipitation in Jammu and Kashmir, as also Ladakh, is mainly in the form of snowfall. Normally, the region gets its first snowfall in the first half of December. But this year Jammu and Kashmir saw 80 per cent rainfall deficit in December, and 100 per cent (absolutely no rain) deficit in January so far, India Meteorological Department (IMD) data show. Ladakh has had no precipitation at all in December or January.
Reasons for reduced snowfall
The overall decreasing trend of snowfall has been attributed to a decline in western disturbance events and gradual rise in temperatures, which involves the role of climate change. The prevailing El Nino event in the eastern Pacific Ocean might be the additional factor to account for this year, scientists say.
Western Disturbance
Winter precipitation in the Himalayan region is caused mainly by Western Disturbances.
- These are large eastward-moving rain-bearing wind systems that originate beyond Afghanistan and Iran, picking up moisture from as far as the Mediterranean Sea and even the Atlantic Ocean.
- Western Disturbances are the primary source of rainfall over north and northwest India during the post-monsoon and winter months. Along with the south-west monsoon season that runs from June to September, and the north-east monsoon that brings rains to Tamil Nadu and some other regions, Western Disturbances are the third major contributors to India’s annual rainfall.
- During winters, about four to six western disturbance events happen every month on an average. This season there was one feeble western disturbance event in December that did not bring any rains, and another similar one in January.
- Western disturbances have been showing a declining trend in recent times. Because of this, the overall precipitation during the winter months in the northern regions has also been declining.
Temperature Rise
The rate of increase of temperature is seen to be higher in the upper elevation areas than in the plains.
- On many days, Srinagar temperatures are comparable to those of Delhi, sometimes they appear to be even higher – Indian Institute of Geomagnetism.
El Nino
El Niño is a large-scale climate interaction between the ocean and atmosphere that causes periodic warming in the central and east-central Equatorial Pacific. It is associated with high pressure in the western Pacific.
- In India, El Niño is usually linked to monsoons, resulting in below-normal rainfall and severe droughts. Between 2001 and 2020, India experienced seven El Niño years, four of which led to droughts
- During El Nino years winters have been relatively dry in Jammu and Kashmir, and snowfall has been very low.
- For the past few months, El Niño has persisted and will continue to do so in the coming months. This has affected the global atmospheric circulation, and might be contributing to the deficit precipitation in the region.
Implications of reduced snowfall
Kashmir’s Gulmarg and other regions has seen a drastic drop in snowfall this winter, leading to a decline in tourism. However, Snowfall in Kashmir, is much more than just a tourist attraction. It is crucial for the local climate, winter crops and horticulture, availability of waters in streams and rivers, and for the local economy.
Short Term:
- Forest Fires: Drier conditions make the region more susceptible to wildfires, threatening ecosystems, infrastructure, and human lives.
- Agricultural Droughts: Without the snowmelt-fed irrigation, farmland becomes parched, leading to crop failures and economic losses for farmers.
- Reduced Crop Yields: Early spring triggered by lack of snow can disrupt natural growing cycles, leading to premature flowering and decreased fruit production, impacting key crops like apples and saffron.
- Soil Erosion: Dry, exposed soil is more vulnerable to erosion by wind and water, degrading land quality and agricultural productivity.
Long Term:
- Hydroelectricity Decline: Reduced snowpack translates to less water for hydroelectric dams, leading to energy shortages and impacting industries and households.
- Glacier Melt Acceleration: With less snowfall to replenish them, glaciers melt faster, contributing to rising sea levels, disrupting water flow patterns, and threatening the Himalayan ecosystem.
- Groundwater Depletion: Limited snowmelt means less water seeps into the ground, leading to shrinking groundwater reserves and potential water scarcity for drinking and agriculture.
- Impact on Tourism: A snow-less Kashmir loses its winter wonderland appeal, potentially impacting tourism revenue, severely hitting the business of ski resorts.
- Government data shows that 95,989 tourists, including 547 foreigners, had visited Gulmarg in January last year, officials said the footfall seemed to be at least 60 per cent lower.
Conclusion:
It is important to note that there is no single solution to the problem of the lack of snowfall in Kashmir. A comprehensive approach that addresses the economic, environmental, and social impacts of this issue will be necessary.
RELATED TOPICS
Indian Meteorological Department
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is the principal agency responsible for meteorological observations, weather forecasting and seismology in India. It operates under the Ministry of Earth Sciences and plays a vital role in various aspects of Indian life.
Functions:
- Weather forecasting: Provides weather forecasts for the public, farmers, aviation, fishing, and various other sectors.
- Meteorological observations: Operates a network of observatories across India to monitor weather conditions, including temperature, rainfall, humidity, wind speed and direction.
- Seismology: Monitors earthquakes and issues earthquake warnings and advisories.
- Climate research: Studies past and present climate trends and provides climate change projections.
- Other services: Issues warnings for cyclones, heavy rainfall, heatwaves, and other extreme weather events. Publishes weather related publications and provides training in meteorology and seismology.
References:
https://mausam.imd.gov.in/responsive/mandate.php
Practice Question
What is Western Disturbances? Analyse its impact on climate of Kashmir [150 words]