With Unprecedented Snowfall Shortage, Winter Drought Grips the Himalayas
11 months, 1 week ago

With Unprecedented Snowfall Shortage, Winter Drought Grips the Himalayas

The Quint  

The iconic snow-capped peaks in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region, usually adorned with a winter white blanket, are noticeably bare this year, especially in the western Himalayas. This abnormal winter, marked by minimal or no snowfall, has triggered concerns among farmers whose livelihoods heavily rely on agriculture. Traditionally, snow is a vital source of sustenance in mountainous regions, providing insulation for dormant crops, supporting root growth, preventing frost penetration, and safeguarding soil from erosion. The dwindling snow accumulation raises concerns about reduced 'runoff,' contributing to diminished water flow into rivers and streams crucial for agriculture.

Snowfall Shortage  grips  agriculture  snowfall  shortage  himalayas  drought  winter  hkh  water  snow  white  concerns  western  region  unprecedented

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Himachal Pradesh braces for fresh snowfall and rain: IMD issues alert
Trending News
1 week ago

Himachal Pradesh braces for fresh snowfall and rain: IMD issues alert

India Today  

According to the latest forecast by the India Meteorological Department, Himachal Pradesh is gearing up for another round of snowfall and rain in its high-altitude regions. SNOWFALL EXPECTED IN SHIMLA AND HIGH HILL AREAS Key tourist destinations like Shimla, Kufri, and Manali will likely experience fresh snowfall, enhancing the winter charm and attracting tourists. RAINFALL PREDICTED IN MID-HILL REGIONS In …

Himachal Pradesh turns into winter paradise as snowfall paints hill stations white | See pics
1 week, 4 days ago

Himachal Pradesh turns into winter paradise as snowfall paints hill stations white | See pics

India TV News  

Image Source : Social Media 1/6 Himachal Pradesh was gripped by an intensifying cold wave as temperatures in several pockets of the state dipped below zero degree Celsius. Image Source : Social Media 3/6 The India Meteorological Department predicted that the high hills of the state were expected to continue receiving many spells of moderate snowfall. Image Source : X …

Met predict rain, snow from December 27 to 29 in Himachal
Trending News
2 weeks, 1 day ago

Met predict rain, snow from December 27 to 29 in Himachal

Hindustan Times  

[email protected] An aerial view of snow-covered statue of lord Hanuman at Jakhoo hill after fresh snowfall in Shimla on Tuesday. Amid heavy influx of tourists, Himachal Pradesh is gearing up for another spell of fresh snow as an active Western Disturbance will bring widespread snowfall and rain to the state from December 27 to 29. Met department predicts that under …

Environmentalists alarmed as Himachal witnesses shift in snowfall patterns
5 months, 1 week ago

Environmentalists alarmed as Himachal witnesses shift in snowfall patterns

The Hindu  

Himachal Pradesh is not just witnessing a reducing snow cover over the years, a gradual shift in snowfall occurrence pattern from winter months towards early summer months is also a noticeable phenomenon occurring in the hill State, raising concern surrounding climate variability in the ecologically fragile Himalayas. The decrease in the snow cover during the peak winter months of December …

Snow cover in Himachal down by 12.9% this year, study shows
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Snow cover in Himachal down by 12.9% this year, study shows

Hindustan Times  

Snow cover across the Himalayan region of the state came down 12.9% in 2023-24 compared to the previous year, a study conducted by the State Centre on Climate Change of Himachal Pradesh Council for Science, Technology and Environment, Shimla, has shown. The state receives winter precipitation in the form of snow at higher altitudes and around one-third of the total …

What are the findings of the 2024 Hindu Kush Himalayas snow update? | Explained
6 months, 2 weeks ago

What are the findings of the 2024 Hindu Kush Himalayas snow update? | Explained

The Hindu  

The story so far: The Ganga river basin — India’s largest — reached a record low snow persistence in 2024, the Hindu Kush Himalaya snow update of the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development has reported. The pattern of high temperatures and altered weather systems explains both the record low snow persistence in 2024 and similar historical records.” “We have …

Parts of J&K, Himachal and Uttarakhand receive fresh snowfall | Updates
11 months, 1 week ago

Parts of J&K, Himachal and Uttarakhand receive fresh snowfall | Updates

Hindustan Times  

Fresh snowfall blanketed parts of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand from Wednesday into Thursday morning, causing disruptions to normal life. Srinagar receives season's first snowfall on Thursday On Thursday morning, high-altitude areas in Jammu province, including the revered Mata Vaishno Devi shrine atop the Trikuta hills in Reasi district, witnessed a new layer of snow. Srinagar saw approximately …

Cause and Effect | The shift in snowfall patterns points to an alarming climate trend
11 months, 2 weeks ago

Cause and Effect | The shift in snowfall patterns points to an alarming climate trend

Hindustan Times  

Winter is here but several parts of the country that are usually covered in sheets of snow this time of the year are sporting swathes of green and brown. Parts of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand are similarly facing a“large deficit winter snowfall”, said India Meteorological Department meteorologist Sonam Lotus. “Winter snowfall is extremely crucial for the Indus basin and for …

Sub-zero temperatures in Himachal’s higher reaches
1 year, 2 months ago

Sub-zero temperatures in Himachal’s higher reaches

Hindustan Times  

The temperature dipped to sub-zero levels as the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh got a fresh spell of snowfall on Monday. State capital Shimla received rain but dense fog in certain parts reduced visibility to a few metres. Keylong, the district headquarters of tribal Lahaul and Spiti district, experienced the chilliest night of the season so far with the mercury …

Himalayan glaciers could lose 80% of volume if global warming is not controlled, study finds
1 year, 6 months ago

Himalayan glaciers could lose 80% of volume if global warming is not controlled, study finds

LA Times  

Glaciers are melting at unprecedented rates across the Hindu Kush Himalayan mountain range and could lose up to 80% of their volume this century if greenhouse gas emissions aren’t sharply reduced, according to a new report. “The people living in these mountains who have contributed next to nothing to global warming are at high risk due to climate change,” said …

Watch: Fresh snow shrouds Uttarakhand, Himachal; Avalanche in J&K
1 year, 11 months ago

Watch: Fresh snow shrouds Uttarakhand, Himachal; Avalanche in J&K

Hindustan Times  

Uttarakhand received a fresh spell of snowfall Wednesday as higher reaches were seen covered in snow. In Jammu and Kashmir, snow lashed down the hills, causing an avalanche in Sonamarg area of Ganderbal district. The India Meteorological Department Wednesday warned of a fresh snowfall in some areas in Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur for the next three days. While snow may intensify …

Environmentalists alarmed as Himachal witnesses lesser snow
3 years, 2 months ago

Environmentalists alarmed as Himachal witnesses lesser snow

The Hindu  

The hill state of Himachal Pradesh has been gradually witnessing lesser snow in the past decade and the area under the snow is also decreasing. The trend triggered by climate change has alarmed environmentalists, considering the importance of seasonal snow cover as a major input in controlling the hydrology of the river basins in the ecological fragile State. A recent …

India to work with China, Pakistan to gauge impact of climate change
5 years, 3 months ago

India to work with China, Pakistan to gauge impact of climate change

The Hindu  

To better gauge the impact of climate change on the Hindu Kush mountains, which includes the Himalayas, and spruce up data-gathering, the India Meteorological Department will collaborate with meteorological agencies in China and Pakistan, among others, to provide climate forecast services to countries in the region. Largest store of snow The HKH region spans Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Kyrgyzstan, …

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