Srinagar, June 05: The changing weather patterns in Kashmir have raised concerns from environmental specialists, who also noted that the hailstorms this year are unusual for the climate of the region.
According to hydraulic engineering specialist and environmentalist Ajaz Rasool, this year’s high rainfall in Kashmir had a negative influence on the agricultural and related sectors.
He claimed that the hailstorms this year were unusual for Kashmir’s climate and that there had been a change in the region’s environment, as they were considerably more frequent than in previous years.
“This is out of the ordinary. It is also the result of western disturbances. The hailstorms have even destroyed the leaves of trees. The hailstorms are unusual, and such large and heavy hailstorms have never occurred before. “There is definitely a climate change having a negative impact, and we don’t know what will happen next,” he said.
Ajaz reported hailstorms across the valley this time of year, with some areas receiving snowfall in Bandipora and elsewhere, lowering temperatures in May and June.
“This is a result of climate change. The changing Himalayas are also having an impact on Kashmir. Western disturbances are now arriving on a regular basis. Right now, the valley is experiencing gusty winds and heavy rains, as well as hailstorms, which have harmed the fruit industry,” he said.
According to the environmentalist, people started to suffer from allergies as a result of the sudden rise and drop in temperature. “Things will improve if the temperature rises, and if the rains continue, it will have definitely further, ” Ajaz said.
“The atmosphere has become extremely polluted by fossil fuels, gases, and other pollutants. This has caused an issue, which is why global warming is occurring,” he explained.
Global warming is a global issue, and developed countries with large industries that use the majority of fossil fuels are to blame, according to environmentalists.
Ajaz further stated that when the temperature fluctuates, it goes up and down. “There would be evaporation at times and more precipitation at other times.” “There would be sparse snowfall at times,” he explained.
He also stated that glaciers are melting, and that when there is no persistent winter, things will change. “Glaciers are not reforming, and the problem is getting aggravated, and it will have an impact,” he warned.
“The atmosphere has become extremely polluted with fossil fuels, gases, and other pollutants. This has caused an issue, which is why global warming is occurring,’’ he said.
Ajaz said the continuous global warming will also affect forests if it is not taken care of and it will also affect human health.
“There are some regions where the temperature goes up to 50 degree and life would be impossible due to extreme hot weather and people will have to migrate,” he said.
Concerned over use of single use plastic, he said there should be strict enforcement on same and the civil society should also volunteer and say no to the plastic use.
In March this year, the increase in temperature caused early bloom of apple and other crops however in April the decrease in temperature due rains affected the blossoming.
Director Indian Meteorological Centre Kashmir, Sonam Lotus said this year has been warmer and witnessed rise in temperature in winter as compared to previous years, especially in February and March.
“The frequency of the western disturbances has increased and there has been above-normal rainfall in Kashmir. This is not for the first that such a situation has been witnessed. In 2018, 2019 and 1986 there was similar rainfall,” he said.
Sonam said that after every two or three days there is frequency of western disturbances over the past few months and weather remains cloudy causing dip in temperature.
“April, May and June is the season of hailstorms. But this year there have been more hailstorms due to weather disturbances causing damage to the crops,” he said.
The Director MeT said this year Kashmir received below-normal snowfall and precipitation was low. “In previous years, we used to witness good snow in February and March months but this year that did not happen. This year we also witnessed early spring,” he said.
“We cannot attribute everything to global warming although global warming is happening. We need to curb it and control it at our own levels,” he said.
