Source: The post “Uttarakhand to Himachal to J&K, why this winter feels snowless’’ has been created, based on “Uttarakhand to Himachal to J&K, why this winter feels snowless” published in “Indian Express” on 17th January 2026.
UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper-3- Environment
Context: The winter of 2024–25 has been characterised by an acute deficiency of rainfall and snowfall in the western Himalayan states of Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir. The northwest region received only 8 per cent of the normal rainfall, resulting in bare mountain peaks and raising serious concerns about climate variability and environmental security.
Causes of the Snowless and Dry Winter
- Weak Western Disturbances: Western disturbances that crossed northern India during December and January were moisture-deficient and shallow in nature, which reduced their capacity to generate precipitation.
- Altered Trajectory of Weather Systems: The western disturbances propagated at higher latitudes, causing limited precipitation over Kashmir and parts of Himachal Pradesh while largely bypassing Uttarakhand.
- Reduced Wind Confluence: The usual interaction between western disturbances and moisture-laden easterly or westerly winds from the Bay of Bengal or the Arabian Sea was weak, preventing cloud formation and rainfall.
- Short Residence Time of Systems: Weak atmospheric circulation reduced the duration for which western disturbances remained over the region, limiting rainfall intensity and coverage.
- Long-term Climatic Trends: IMD data shows that dry winters have become increasingly frequent over the last decade, indicating a broader trend of climatic unpredictability in the Himalayan region.
Implications of Reduced Winter Precipitation
- Water Security Stress: Reduced snowfall has limited groundwater recharge and spring rejuvenation, thereby affecting drinking water availability and river flows during summer months.
- Agricultural Impact: Rabi crops have been adversely affected due to insufficient soil moisture, as early winter precipitation is crucial for sustained crop growth.
- Glacial and Hydrological Risks: Lower snow persistence accelerates glacier melt, shifts the Equilibrium Line Altitude upward, reduces long-term river discharge and increases the risk of glacial lake outburst floods.
- Forest Fires and Ecological Degradation: Dry forest floors have triggered widespread forest fires, with thousands of fire alerts reported, even in ecologically sensitive protected areas.
Way Forward
- Strengthening Climate Monitoring and Forecasting: There is a need to improve high-resolution forecasting of western disturbances and enhance regional climate models for better early warning and planning.
- Sustainable Water Resource Management: Artificial recharge of aquifers, revival of springs and promotion of rainwater harvesting must be prioritised in the Himalayan states.
- Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Farmers should be encouraged to adopt drought-resistant crop varieties, improved irrigation efficiency and revised cropping calendars.
- Glacier and Disaster Risk Management: Regular monitoring of glaciers and glacial lakes using satellite data should be strengthened to reduce the risks of glacial lake outburst floods.
- Forest Fire Preparedness: Improved forest moisture conservation, early fire detection systems and community-based fire management are essential to mitigate fire risks.
Conclusion: The snowless winter of the western Himalayas is a clear indicator of evolving climate patterns. Addressing its impacts requires integrated climate adaptation strategies, scientific monitoring and sustainable resource governance to protect both mountain ecosystems and downstream populations.
Question: The winter of 2024–25 witnessed unusually low snowfall and rainfall in the western Himalayan states. Discuss the causes behind the snowless winter in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir, and analyse its implications for ecology, agriculture and water security.
Source: Indian Express
