Changing climate patterns in J&K

Usual changes in climatic patterns in Jammu and Kashmir this year clearly point towards how global warming and damage to our natural resources are taking a heavy toll on the eco-fragile environment of the Himalayan region. Amid prolonged heatwave, Kashmir's high-altitude mountain areas received the season's first snowfall on September 5. The higher reaches along the Sonamarg-Zojila axis, including Gumri, received fresh snow. In Bandipora district, snowfall was reported from Tulail near Gurez, including Kabali Gali in the upper reaches of the valley. Upper reaches in world famous ski-resort Gulmarg in north Kashmir's Baramulla district were enveloped by fresh snowfall. J&K's summer capital Srinagar recorded its highest temperature of the season on July 18, 2026, when the maximum temperature reached 35.9 Degree Celsius. Since then temperatures have been hovering over 30 Degree Celsius. After snowfall in upper reaches, Srinagar recorded a maximum temperature of 26.6 Degrees Celsius, while Pahalgam recorded 23.4 C, Gulmarg 19 C, Qazigund 27.2 C, Kokernag 27 C and Kupwara 26.5 C on September 5. Advertisment This year, J&K witnessed a series of flash floods triggered by cloudbursts mostly in mountainous regions causing loss of over 30 lives and destruction of infrastructure. On July 2, 12 cloudbursts were reported in 12 hours when the southwest monsoon arrived in J&K. On July 7 we witnessed massive flash floods in Thathri town of Jammu's Doda district. The intensity of flash floods resembled the Nepal one, as gushing waters carried boulders, rocks and tons of soil burying several houses and vehicles. On July 10, flash floods hit Ari Sarhuti village of Mendhar in Poonch district after heavy rainfall in the area with water damaging human habitations and agriculture fields, On July 11 flash floods caused sudden rise in water level in Oowera area of Pahalgam, damaging several huts and hotels. August recorded a 25% rainfall deficit in Kashmir while the Jammu division remained normal at minus 16% and Ladakh. Kashmir received 615.2 mm of rain against a normal of 815.5 mm, while Jammu received 2,452.9 mm against a normal of 2,930.7 mm. Jammu's 16% deficit was within the normal range. Sudden shifts in climatic patterns in J&K are clear indicators of climate change. J&K has witnessed four snowless Chillai Kalans over the last two decades. And winters have been mostly dry and warm for the last 5 years. Snowfall has been confined to J&K's mostly upper reaches confined to a 40-day harshest period known as Chillai Kalan. On February 21, this year Srinagar surpassed its all-time February maximum temperature record with 21 degrees Celsius. Advertisment Sudden spike in temperature has led to earlier melting of snow on mountains increasing flow in water bodies and led to massive shortage of water for irrigation this year. The above normal temperatures put the region's glaciers under stress and increased the recession rate. Scientific studies have clearly revealed how Kolhai, the largest glacier of Kashmir's Jhelum Basin, is retreating rapidly due to a spurt in temperature triggered by global warming and extreme pollution. Thajiwas, Hoksar, Nehnar, Shishram, and glaciers around Harmukh are melting fast. Last year amid the heat wave, several springs including in Achabal in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, dried up for the first time in recorded history. These springs are the lone drinking water source for hundreds of villages. Most of these springs came back to life after a spell of rains. There has also been an increase in frequency of hailstorms in Kashmir this year wreaking havoc on orchards besides damaging property in south and north Kashmir areas. Satellite-based assessments show 23% reduction in snowfall over the past five years with November showing downfall by 40–45% and December by 28%.46.63% deficit in snowfall last year. Snowmelt accounts for 50 percent of streamflow in Kashmir, making winter snowfall critical for sustaining hydrology and water availability. Reduction of snow cover or snowfall directly translates into diminished spring and summer runoff. Such changes adversely affect irrigated agriculture, horticultural productivity, and hydropower generation, thereby posing serious challenges to the region's water security and climate resilience. Snowfall deficit and higher temperatures in winter poses risk of increased cryosphere-related hazards like permafrost degradation triggered slope failures including debris flows, mudflows, and rock falls and also trigger Glacial Lake Outburst Floods. Snowfall between the peak winter period between December 21 and January 29, is considered to be important for maintaining ecological balance. Advertisment We have witnessed how catastrophic flash floods and mudslides were triggered by a massive glacier and rock collapse near Langtang Lirung in Nepal causing the death of over 1300 persons and rendering more than 5000 missing. What is worrying for us is that five glacial lakes in the Kashmir Himalayas, the Bramsar, Chirsar, Nundkol, Gangabal and Bhagsar, have been classified as having 'very high susceptibility' to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). The Centre has reviewed the preparedness of Jammu and Kashmir and four Himalayan states for Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs) and snow avalanches, focusing on vulnerable sites, early warning, evacuation and response and directed for monitoring vulnerable lakes, mapping flow paths, issuing early warnings, reaching communities and deploying response resources. J&K Government must on priority assess multi-hazard risk including seismic, flood, landslide, GLOF, forest fires and formulate intervention strategies. We need to understand that J&K is a multi-hazard prone Himalayan region which is vulnerable to natural disasters especially earthquake, floods, landslides, windstorms and soil erosion. J&K ranks third among the Himalayan areas which are vulnerable to climate change and fall in the highest seismic zones. It's high time we take measures for conservation of our natural resources to minimise impact of climate change. We must take measures for maintaining ecological balance and desist from disturbing nature! Author is Executive Editor, Greater Kashmir