The lack of snowfall in Gulmarg and other parts of the Himalayan region is a cause of concern. Warming sea surface temperatures and El Nino weather events are some of the reasons for less snowfall.
A video posted by ANI, a news agency, shows the town of Gulmarg, Kashmir appearing dry and barren with only a few patches of snow on the ground. The video has sparked climate concerns, highlighting the need for sustainable practices and environmental awareness.
#WATCH | Baramulla, J&K: Tourist destination Gulmarg witnesses dry spell this winter. The Kashmir Valley has experienced a 79% rainfall deficit throughout December and an absence of snow. According to the meteorological department, dry weather conditions will persist until… pic.twitter.com/8WS0bIXr9t
— ANI (@ANI) January 8, 2024
According to weather experts, the warming of sea surface temperatures has disrupted the global weather and is one of the reasons for less rains and snow in the Himalayan region. The capital city of Srinagar did not receive any snow at all.
The lack of snowfall in Gulmarg, a popular winter tourist destination known for its snow-covered slopes that attract skiers from across the country, has raised concerns over the effects of global warming on India's winters. The region has received barely any snow this season, leaving the ski slopes barren and devoid of their usual snowy mantle.
The long dry spell means that areas that usually receive a minimum of four-to-six feet thick snow have hardly any snow. A striking photo of Gulmarg from last year shows the area covered in a thick blanket of snow with not an inch of ground visible. This year, the region appears dry with no snow covering the ground.
The weather office has said the tourist town witnessed a dry spell this winter with the Kashmir Valley seeing a 79% drop in rainfall and barely any snow. "The whole of December and the first week of January has been dry. There are no major precipitation chances in the coming days. The weather may remain dry till noon of January 16. There was a pattern of early snowfall for the last three to four years which is missing this year. There is no major spell. El Nino has persisted since November and may continue till next month," Director of Kashmir Meteorological Centre Mukhtar Ahmad told new agency ANI.
Meteorologists attribute the low snow to the ongoing El Nino weather event that led to 2023 being the warmest year on record. The El Niño effect, is characterised by the warming of sea surface temperatures which can disrupt global weather patterns. The weather phenomenon is likely to raise the heat in 2024 as well. The IMD also said the absence of western disturbances, which bring snowfall in the higher reaches and rain in the plains, has resulted in no major snowfall so far which is likely to continue this month.
In conclusion, the lack of snowfall in Gulmarg and other parts of the Himalayan region is a cause for concern. The warming of sea surface temperatures and the El Nino weather event are some of the reasons for the low snowfall. It is important to take sustainable measures to combat climate change and protect our environment for future generations.