There has been a very uncommon prolonged dry spell for the mountain ranges of North India. All the hilly states are struggling and waiting to have the white cover, a very common sight by this time, every season. Active western disturbances have conspicuously been eluding and whatever little comes is getting only confined to the higher reaches. Snowfall in the low and mid reaches, a lifeline for many sectors has given amiss, keeping one and all in the lurch. Finally, there is a ray of hope, but fingers crossed.
Chillai Kalan, the harshest period for the Kashmir Valley has missed the typical sessions of bursting snow, derailing normal life and process. Major rivers and the perennial streams are on the verge of drying up. Jhelum River and its tributaries are at the lowest level, raising anxious moments. In the absence of snow, the glacial bodies have been consuming their reserves without any significant replenishment. This is the period of snow which adds to the glaciers of the Valley, which in turn recharge the eternal reservoirs that feed the rivers, streams, and lakes during summer months.
Adventure activities like skiing are on the verge of collapse, as the snowy slopes present deserted looks. Even the Khelo India event is shrouded with uncertainty, for lack of snow. Tourism, the lifeline for the mountainous states, is bizarre with unsure prospects this season. There is a drop of nearly 70% in visitors at popular resorts like Gulmarg and Pahalgam. The scene is no different for other hilly attractions like Manali, and Shimla and crazy destinations in Uttrakhand like Auli. Crops. In any case are withering for want of suitable climatic conditions.
There are multiple factors responsible for such drought-like conditions across the region. However, there is likely a twist in the weather conditions, sometime next week. Though, a little premature to predict, conditions look to be becoming favourable for much-awaited weather activity, both in the plains and hills of North India. Low-level features appearing quite conducive for weather build-up, need to be supported by upper air westerly flow. More precise predictions will be on the cards, before this weekend.
