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Himalayas Heat Up: Jammu's Mountains Warming Faster
19 Jul
Summary
- High-altitude regions in Jammu warmed nearly 1 degree Celsius over two decades.
- Elevation-dependent warming causes faster temperature rise at higher altitudes.
- Snow-albedo feedback accelerates warming and glacier melting in mountainous areas.
Recent research highlights a significant warming trend in Jammu and Kashmir's high-altitude areas, with temperatures increasing by nearly 1 degree Celsius over the last twenty years. This warming is faster at higher elevations compared to the plains, a pattern identified as Elevation-Dependent Warming (EDW).
The snow-albedo feedback loop is a major contributor, as melting snow exposes darker surfaces that absorb more heat, accelerating glacier melt. Nighttime temperatures are also rising faster than daytime temperatures, particularly at mid-altitudes, due to increased atmospheric moisture acting as an insulator.
Conversely, the plains of Jammu are experiencing a slight cooling trend, attributed to the absence of seasonal snow cover and increased irrigation leading to greater evaporation. The region's unique geography, spanning subtropical plains to high Himalayan peaks, makes it particularly vulnerable to these uneven warming patterns.
Experts warn that shrinking glaciers and declining winter snowfall threaten water security, agriculture, horticulture, winter tourism, and biodiversity across northern India. They also point to compounding factors like increased vehicular traffic and unregulated construction, which release carbon emissions and exacerbate warming and forest fires, further contributing to glacier melt.
