Third driest October in Himachal Pradesh in 123 years
Himachal Pradesh though having wonderful favourable climate conditions for tourist appealing natural attractions in India today is undergoing through a kind of strange weather. For October the state has noted 3-4 degree C above normal average temperature and an incredible 97% less rainfall to the third driest October in the 123 yeas record.
Extreme Heat and Hot Weather
Generally, October is assumed to be the onset of the winter season in Himachal Pradesh, and with gradual declines in the temperatures, the otherwise pleasant valleys experience the climate of chilling vales. But this year on June the temperature has been rising and reaching up to 24 to 29 degrees Celsius, which is nearly four degrees higher than normal. Even the minimum temperatures, too, have not been the usual low range of 7-11 degrees Centigrade temperature.
Many districts in the state have reported to experience the highest temperatures in the season. For instance, on the same day Solan experienced the temperatures of 39°C and Kangra had only 27.6°C. Kalpa at even higher altitude recorded about 23.6 degree Celsius which remains the record high at this state since 1984.
Severe Rainfall Deficit
There has not been much rain in October 2024 and the state has only been able to receive 0.70 mm of rainfall as against 25.10 mm normally. This has resulted into a 97% shortfall of precipitation making it the third driest October in the country since the beginning of record in the year 1901. Out of the total twelve districts, six including Chamba, Hamirpur, Solan, Sirmaur and Kullu did not record a single drop of rain during the month.
Contribution to Agriculture and Horticulture
This is indicative of the high temperatures that the state has experienced coupled with the poor rainfall resulting in the state’s agriculture and horticulture industries. This every year harvest of apples and other fruits started 15 to 20 days early due to high temperatures and small number of yields resulted in heavy losses to farmers. The rains have also not favoured growth of crops and this has in one way or the other impacted on the challenges encountered by the farmers.
Tourism and Local Economy
Himachal Pradesh is a famous tourists’ spot, especially in the winter times when Himachal turns into a winter paradise with snow. But the abnormal climate this year has made visitor feel regret after they have not caught cold and seen snow as the latter expected. Due to inadequate snow and high temperatures the season of tourism has been threatened, and tourism is a leading industry in the region.
Climate Change and Future Perspective
These erratic conditions in Himachal Pradesh point to the litany of the effects of climate change. Such results are not surprising to climate scientists who predict increased occurrences and severity of weather conditions owing to global warming. Authorities and population are quickly finding themselves in the position as receivers of these changes, and are in the process of defining how to minimize their effects.
The reasons for Unnatural Climatic Conditions
- Climate Change: The major cause responsible for such weird weather conditions in Himachal Pradesh state is climate change. Climate change has caused temperature increase and irregular rainfall. With higher temperatures and longer dry periods, they are in pace with climate scientists’ assertions about weather conditions that are expected to be become severe because of global warming.
- Reduced Snowfall and Glacial Retreat: It is a fact that the Himalayan region including Himachal Pradesh is facing a declining trend in snowfall and Glacier melt. This has interfered with the normal water regimen thus depriving farming and domestic purposes of adequate water. It also impacts the tourism sector, which depends on ski, snowboarding, and picturesque snow covered environment.
- Unplanned Development: The region has suffered the effects of climate change due to uncontrolled and hasty growth in the area. Physical anthropogenic changes like deforestation, construction and expansion of human developmental activities and urbanization have contributed to habitat loss thus exposing the country to natural disasters like the landslides and floods. These activities have also robbed the natural environment some buffer or shocks which act to moderate the climate within the region.
- Western Disturbances: Disturbances coming from the Mediterranean region, called Western Disturbances, have been found to lose strength once they get into the Himalayan territory. This has led to low precipitation as well as snow heights during the winter season. The declining of these weather systems has been attributed to climate change that influences atmospheric circulation.
Reasons for Concern
- Agricultural Impact: Especially the high temperatures and drought conditions have impacted the agricultural production and yield negatively. Since fruits and crops are ripening early, farmers have suffered great losses. It has also affected the crop farming as there is little rainfall experienced which leads to poor growth of crops hence increasing difficulties of agricultural persons.
- Water Scarcity: Brightening has, in turn, resulted in decreased snow, glaciers which have contributed to water shortage in the region. Irrigation water, domestic water supply and many other uses have been greatly hit by the availability of water. This has resulted to increased pressure on water resource which had already reached its limit thus cases of water usage disputes.
- Economic Impact: Another lag, the weather has also pose a great threat on the income generating tourism industry which is a main source of the state income. A usually snowy area has been receiving fewer amounts because of the warmer conditions and the absence of the snow which travellers expect to see. This has epitomized reduction of tourist entries and in turn revenue generation for the local economy.
- Environmental Degradation: The changing weather patterns have led to environmental degradation in the region. Deforestation, habitat destruction, and increased vulnerability to natural disasters have taken a toll on the local ecology. Business operations have negatively affected the environment through contributing to loss of biological diversity and change of ecological systems in area and other parts of state, with consequent impacts on the regional environment.
- Health Concerns: High temperatures coupled with low humidity have also caused health challenges among the people of the society. This is worrying due to the increased prevalence of heat related diseases like heat stroke and dehydrations in current society. Water scarcity has also been taken with a toll on sanitation and hygiene practices hence the occurrence of waterborne diseases.
Climate Change and The Himalayas
The Himalayas, which are also known as the “Third Pole” because of vast accumulated ice reserves, are most vulnerable to Climate change impacts. It is one of the significant sources of life for millions of its inhabitants and, at the same time, an outstanding mountain system that hosts the highest mountains globally. Climate change impacts on the Himalayas are diverse; the glacial melt, biological diversity and socio economic activities of the people.
Accelerated Glacial Melt
The fastest changing aspect of climate, the Himalayas, has been threatened by glacier meltdowns more than ever before. These glaciers are important as they provide water to extensive River Basins like the Ganga, Brahmaputra and Indus which provide water to more than hundred million individuals of South Asia. The advance in the levels of thermal led to the enhanced rate of glacier shrinkage and hence the formation of glacial lakes. Most of these lakes are morphologically transitional and exist in the precarious balance which makes them prone to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) with disastrous impacts down-stream.
Changing Weather Patterns
This has brought about climatic changes of weather patterns in the Himalayan region and extreme and unstable weather conditions are the order of the day. This has led to frequent occurrence of coral with an increase in the force of the heavy rains thereby causing landslides and flood. On the other hand some face severe dry seasons which affect the water systems. These changes in precipitation patterns impact agriculture given that it remains the most dominant economic activity for many households in the Himalayas thus, this bring in food insecurity due to low yields.
Threats to Biodiversity
It is also one of the prime regions with high density of bio- diversity with many endemic species living in the Himalayan region. Climate change poses a danger to this diverse bio-physical process since temperature and precipitation regimes change climate types. Endemic species that are accustomed to certain climatic conditions they will be wiped out of existence if they cannot move to better climatic conditions. For example, flora and fauna of the alpine type are extremely sensitive as they can hardly migrate to areas at higher elevations. Also, the altered climate brings new invading species that aggravate the vulnerability of native species’ diversity.
Impact on Water Resources
The Himalayan area is called the ‘Water Tower of Asia’ due to its important function for water regime. Glaciers cause rivers to have high flows at the beginning but as glaciers keep on shrinking, water source in rivers is compromised. In the long run, the amounts of glacial melt water resulting into reduced river flows with disastrous implications on water availability for drinking, irrigation for agriculture and for generating hydro power. They indicated that this has severe implications to water security in the region throughout the year especially during the dry season.
Livelihoods and Human Health
Climate change continues to be severe in the Himalayas in so far as it impacts on livelihood and health of communities living in the region. Two major economic activities in the region such as farming and tourism are usually impacted on by climate change. Unpredictable weather conditions lead to unpredictable farming patterns and poor crop yields, starvation, and inconsistent economy. The tourism industry including stability of the climate systems and natural could and scenery is also impacted by the climatic change and destruction of the environment.
Concerns also include health because the climate change brings about the extension of vectors such as malaria and dengue fever to the higher altitude regions. Further, such change and economic turbulence exert mental health complications in every affected population as well.
Adaptation and Mitigation Efforts
To reduce and adapt to the effects of climate change within the Himalayas region, more than singular efforts to address the two issues are needed. There is the formation and reinforcement of resilient structures like changing cropping systems, construction of resilient infrastructure and water management systems. At a broader level, governments and international agencies are providing finances, human resources, infrastructure development for climate change adaptation measures such as early warning system for disaster prone activities, climate change friendly tourism promotion.
Other measures aim at controlling the output of greenhouse gases with emphasis on renewable energy including hydropower since the region has enormous water potential. Unfortunately, one cannot mention the part that has been accorded to development with the one that has been meted on conserving the environment.