Himalayas bare and rocky after reduced winter snowfall, scientists warn
4 months ago
- #water security
- #Himalayas
- #climate change
- Reduced winter snowfall in the Himalayas is leaving mountains bare and rocky.
- Most winters in the last five years have seen less snowfall compared to the 1980-2020 average.
- Rising temperatures cause snow to melt quickly, with lower elevations seeing more rain than snow.
- The region is experiencing 'snow drought' during winter.
- Reduced snowfall exacerbates the crisis of melting glaciers, impacting water supply and ecosystems.
- Less winter precipitation increases the risk of forest fires due to dry conditions.
- Vanishing glaciers and declining snowfall destabilize mountains, leading to more disasters like landslides.
- North India recorded no precipitation in December, with forecasts predicting 86% less snowfall than average.
- Studies show a 25% decrease in snowfall in the northwestern Himalayas over the past five years.
- Nepal has seen zero rainfall since October, with dry winters becoming more common.
- Snow persistence in the Himalayas is at a 23-year low, with four of the last five winters below normal.
- Snow droughts are becoming more frequent, particularly at elevations between 3,000 and 6,000 meters.
- Weakening westerly disturbances are a key reason for reduced winter precipitation in the region.
- The Himalayan region faces a 'double trouble' of melting glaciers and reduced snowfall, with huge consequences.