Context:
The northwestern Himalayan region — including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir — experienced an unusually dry winter, receiving only about 8% of normal rainfall, raising concerns about water security, agriculture, glacier dynamics, and forest fires.
Key Highlights:
Severe Rainfall Deficit
• Northwest India received only about 8% of its normal winter precipitation.
• Uttarakhand recorded no rainfall during December and January.
• Himachal Pradesh experienced its sixth-lowest December rainfall since 1901.
Weak Western Disturbances
• The primary reason for the dry winter is weak Western Disturbances with low moisture content.
• The associated pressure troughs were shallow, limiting rainfall and snowfall events.
Forest Fire Risk
• Lack of snowfall and rainfall has dried forest floors, increasing fire vulnerability.
• Uttarakhand recorded more than 1,600 forest fire alerts since November 1.
Impact on Agriculture and Water Resources
• Rabi crops dependent on winter rainfall face stress due to reduced soil moisture and groundwater recharge.
• Reduced snowfall may lead to lower river discharge during summer.
Glacial and Hydrological Implications
• Early snowmelt and reduced snowfall can cause formation of proglacial and supraglacial lakes.
• These lakes increase the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).
• The Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA) of glaciers may shift upward, reducing glacier mass balance.
Weather Outlook
• The India Meteorological Department (IMD) predicted light to moderate rainfall between January 18–20 due to an incoming Western Disturbance.
Relevant Prelims Points:
- Western Disturbances
- Extratropical cyclones originating in the Mediterranean region.
- Move eastwards with the westerly winds in the upper atmosphere.
- Bring winter rainfall and snowfall to northwestern India.
- Rabi Crops
- Crops sown in winter (October–November) and harvested in spring (March–April).
- Major crops include wheat, barley, mustard, gram, and peas.
- Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)
- Sudden release of water from glacial lakes due to dam failure.
- Causes catastrophic downstream flooding.
- Equilibrium Line Altitude (ELA)
- The altitude on a glacier where accumulation equals melting.
- Proglacial and Supraglacial Lakes
- Proglacial lakes form at the front of glaciers.
- Supraglacial lakes form on the surface of glaciers.
Relevant Mains Points:
Impact of Reduced Snowfall in the Himalayas
• Threat to water security in northern India, as Himalayan glaciers feed major rivers.
• Increased forest fire incidents and ecosystem degradation.
• Disruption of agriculture and livelihoods dependent on winter precipitation.
Climate Change and Himalayan Vulnerability
• Rising temperatures lead to reduced snow accumulation and faster glacier melt.
• Increased extreme weather events and hydrological instability.
• Impacts biodiversity in fragile mountain ecosystems.
Way Forward
• Strengthen climate monitoring and glacier observation systems.
• Develop early warning systems for forest fires and GLOFs.
• Promote sustainable land use and forest management in Himalayan states.
• Integrate climate resilience strategies into Himalayan development policies.
UPSC Relevance:
• GS Paper I – Indian Geography (Himalayan climate and glacial systems)
• GS Paper III – Environment, Climate Change, Disaster Management
• Prelims – Western Disturbances, GLOF, Rabi crops