Tourists disappointed, farmers worried over less snowfall in Himalayan region
The plains of northern India are experiencing bitter cold, while the mountainous regions from Jammu and Kashmir to Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are suffering from snowfall.
It is not just tourists who are returning disappointed from places like Gulmarg and Pahalgam, famous for snowfall, farmers on their part are worried over the weather disturbance which cause trouble for them.
Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Ladakh have witnessed a sharp decline in snowfall this year.
National Conference leader Omar Abdullah expressed concern over the lack of snowfall and posted on social media that he had never seen Gulmarg so dry in winter. If it doesn't snow soon, the summer will be very severe. The former Jammu and Kashmir chief minister also posted two pictures of himself taken with heavy snow in Gulmarg on January 6, 2022 and 2023.
On social media, people are sharing pictures of last years snowfall and dry mountains this year. Throughout December, the Kashmir Valley has experienced 79% rainfall deficiency and absence of snow.
According to the Met Department, dry weather conditions will continue till 12 January.
Harish Chauhan, an apple grower in Himachal, told Rural Voice that horticultural yields could be badly affected by the lack of snow this year even in the highlands. Snowfall is essential for a good apple crop. Less snow and rain is expected to hit horticultural crops with drought.
In Himachal Pradesh, areas like Lahaul, Spiti and Kinnaur used to be covered with snow during winters but these places have craved for snowfall this year. After suffering floods in the monsoon, Himachal Pradesh is now facing drought conditions. Meanwhile, Kedarnath, Nanda Devi and Auli in Uttarakhand have not received snowfall in the last month. Even Hemkund Sahib, which remains laden with snow, has received relatively little snow.
Forest fires have also increased in the Kullu Manali valley due to lack of rain and snowfall in Himachal Pradesh. Forest fires in Kashmir and Himachal in January are unimaginable events.
Bikram Singh, director of the Dehradun based Meteorological Center in Uttarakhand, said the state has received very little rain and snowfall in the winter season this year. The western disturbance has been weak since the monsoon season. Rain clouds could not develop in the Himalayan regions. The weather remains drier than normal.
In Uttarakhand, the high Himalayan regions were covered with snow as December began. But places like Auli, Dhanolti, Chopta, Dayara Bugyal, Kanatal Mukteshwar and Munsyari, famous for snowfall, have received almost no snowfall this season.
This changed weather mood is being linked to climate change. This will have an impact on tourism as well as upstream agriculture and horticulture.
