Facts for Prelims (FFP)
Source: IE
Context: This winter, Kashmir and Ladakh, including the popular tourist destination Gulmarg, have experienced a lack of snowfall, impacting winter tourism, ski resorts, and overall local livelihoods.
Reasons for Dry Winter in J&K:
| Reasons | Details |
| Decreasing Trend of Snowfall | Attributed to a decline in western disturbance events and a gradual rise in temperatures, indicating the role of climate change. |
| El Nino Event | The prevailing El Nino event in the eastern Pacific Ocean is considered an additional factor affecting snowfall in the region this year. |
| El Nino Impact | Persistent El Nino event influencing global atmospheric circulation. |
| Rising Temperatures | Temperature increase observed, with a higher rate in upper elevation areas compared to plains. |
| Srinagar temperatures are sometimes comparable to or higher than Delhi, contributing to the decline in snowfall. | |
| What are Western Disturbances? | Large eastward-moving rain-bearing wind systems originating beyond Afghanistan and Iran (near the Mediterranean Sea) |
| The primary source of winter precipitation in the Himalayan region. | |
| Pick up moisture from the Mediterranean Sea and even the Atlantic Ocean. | |
| About four to six western disturbance events typically occur every month during winter. | |
| The recent decline in the frequency of western disturbance events affects overall winter precipitation in northern regions. | |
| Impact of Dry Winter: Long-term Implications | |
| Generation of less hydroelectricity. | |
| Increase in the rate of glacier melting. | |
| Adverse impact on drinking water supply due to scanty snowfall leading to minimal groundwater recharge. | |
| Impact of Dry Winter: Short-term Implications | Increased risk of forest fires and agricultural drought. |
| Drop in crop production. | |
| Possibility of an early spring leading to early flowering, potentially reducing crop yield. | |
| Winter snow is crucial for providing steady moisture to the soil, and vital for winter crops, especially in horticulture. | |
| Adverse effects on yields of key crops like apples and saffron, impacting the local economy. |
