Impacts of Heat Wave on Ladakh

Source-This post on Impacts of Heat Wave on Ladakh has been created based on the article “Why is Ladakh, an arid cold desert, burning this summer? Lack of rain, say experts” published in “Down to Earth” on 3 August 2024.

UPSC Syllabus-GS Paper-3- Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation

Context– Ladakh, the cold desert in northern India, is experiencing extreme heat this summer due to a severe lack of rainfall. The reduced humidity from the rain deficit is causing unusually high temperatures.

What is the impact of the heat wave on Ladakh?

1) Impact on Transportation– Many flights to Ladakh were canceled due to the heat wave. For ex-The Airports Authority of India (AAI) informed airlines that “anticipated bad weather” (extreme heat) was the reason for the cancellations at Leh’s Kushok Bakula Rinpoche Airport.

2) Low Agricultural Production-The extreme heat is drying out the soil, causing vegetables to turn yellow and die, and trees to need much more frequent watering. Both trees and vegetables are growing poorly, and the crops are underdeveloped. As a result, this year’s output will be lower than in previous years.

3) Increased Use of Cooling Devices in Ladakh – The intense heat has made fans and air conditioning necessary in homes, which wasn’t needed before.

4) Water Resources- Drilling more wells in Ladakh is rapidly depleting groundwater levels. With rising temperatures and widespread groundwater extraction, the region may soon face a serious water shortage, causing spring water in villages to dry up.

Read More-Heat Action Plan

Climate change is severely affecting mountain regions like Ladakh, leading to extreme weather and temperature swings. This unpredictability makes it difficult for people and wildlife to adapt, especially with ongoing unplanned development in these areas.