El Niño and global warming blamed for lack of snow in Kashmir

Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonmarg, picturesque places in Kashmir known for their winter beauty, are unusually snowless this winter. These places, often referred to as Kashmir’s winter wonderland, are missing the typical snow cover that usually adorns its hills during this season.

The absence of snow has disappointed tourists and skiing enthusiasts from both India and abroad who visit this high-altitude town (8,694 feet) for its skiing opportunities. The usually snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas are now bare. Srinagar, the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, has also not seen any snowfall this year. Other tourist spots like Pahalgam in south Kashmir and Sonamarg in central Kashmir are also affected by this lack of snow.

The usually snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas are now bare. Srinagar, the winter capital of Jammu and Kashmir, has also not seen any snowfall this year. Other tourist spots like Pahalgam in south Kashmir and Sonamarg in central Kashmir are also affected by this lack of snow.

Global warming influences weather patterns

Weather experts have attributed this unusual phenomenon to global warming. “All weather happens in a warmer world now so all events have a contribution from global warming,” says Raghu Murtugudde, an expert in weather and Earth System. He further explains that there is a downward trend in western disturbances and the associated precipitation. This doesn’t mean each year will be below normal but that more years will be below normal than above normal.

He added "He added, "El Niño and the unusual El Niño pattern as well as the higher than the expected normal rainfall contributed to this year.” This quote suggests that global warming is influencing weather patterns, leading to more years with below-normal precipitation. Factors like El Niño and unusual rainfall patterns also played a role this year. "

Weather experts say that the warming of sea surface temperatures disrupts the global weather and also contributes to the diminished rainfall and snow in the Himalayan region. The lack of snow cover on hill stations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam deeply disappoints the visiting tourists.

Why is Kashmir experiencing a dry winter?

The Kashmir Valley reported a 79 per cent drop in rainfall and hardly any snow in December. This has raised concerns among ecologists and those relying on tourism for their livelihood. Gulmarg, a famous tourist spot, is flocked by skiers who take training sessions in January. However, its meadows are vacant this year.

"December was entirely dry, along with the first week of January. We don't foresee any major chances of precipitation in the coming days. The dry weather might persist until the noon of January 16. We noticed a pattern of early snowfall for the last three to four years which is absent this year. There has been no major spell. El Nino has prevailed since November and might persist till the next month," Mukhtar Ahmad, Director of Kashmir Meteorological Centre, reported to Ground Report.

El Nino, meaning Little Boy in Spanish, comes from a natural climate pattern due to unusually warm waters in the eastern Pacific. This weather phenomenon influences global weather patterns and predictions suggest it will raise temperatures in 2024. Ahmad informed The Hindu that observers often notice a lack of precipitation during the El Nino years.

The India Meteorological Department also stated that the absence of western disturbances that bring snowfall in the higher reaches and rain in the plains have not caused any major snowfall so far, which is likely to continue this month.

Tauseef Rathore, who is in charge of training at the Indian Institute of Skiing and Mountaineering (IISM) in Gulmarg, shared with The Hindu that there have been no ski training sessions in the main bowl so far this year. Instead, they are using the slopes of Bota Pathri, about seven kilometres from the main bowl, for training as the snow has not completely melted there due to the shade from the tree line.

Concerns are rising that the continued lack of snow could hurt tourism and lead to booking cancellations. Javaid ur Rehman, Gulmarg's tourism assistant director, told HT about the snowless Gulmarg bowl and bare slopes. He noted that this issue is also affecting European resorts.

Dry spell affecting Kashmir’s water resources

Kashmir, particularly during the peak time of Chillai-Kalan, is experiencing a prolonged dry spell which will affect Kashmir’s major water resources, including the Jehlum and other streams, causing a significant drop in water levels.

Sanjeev Malhotra, Chief Engineer of the Jal Shakti Department in Kashmir told Kashmir-based News agency KNO that the dry spell is already affecting the region’s water resources. He explained that without timely snowfall and rainfall, the water levels in all surface water sources have decreased.

Malhotra added that while the department is ensuring adequate water supply to the people by implementing curtailments, the situation will have a long-term impact. He emphasized that snowfall during Chillai-Kalan is crucial for maintaining adequate water levels. However, the current dry period will have long-term effects.

He further stated that snowfall during the peak time of Chillai-Kalan is important because snowfall after this period will not be as sustainable.

He said, “Our surface water sources are not getting recharged in the absence of snowfall and rainfall. Therefore, precipitation at this time is necessary to recharge our sources well in advance for the future months.”

Keep Reading

• Rivers in Himachal Pradesh face crisis: NGT steps in
• After disastrous floods Himachal is set to become green and clean state
• Himachal Pradesh hit by record floods and rain events in monsoon 2023
• Estimate of destruction in Himachal Pradesh due to July-Aug rains

Follow Ground Report for Climate Change and Under-Reported issues in India. Connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, Koo App, Instagram, Whatsapp and YouTube. Write us on [email protected].