Tourists also wait for snowfall, situation is serious due to pollution in areas of North India
New Delhi. Every year, snowfall starts in the Himalayan regions in the beginning of November, but this year the situation seems different. The weather remains hot and dry in the hilly areas of Uttarakhand.
Shiva temple, Tungnath, situated at an altitude of four thousand meters above sea level, where usually a thick layer of snow is visible by this time, has not frozen. Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri, and Yamunotri Dham are also waiting for snowfall. Due to the temperature being higher than normal during the day in these areas, tourists are feeling mild heat instead of cold.
According to the Director of Meteorological Center, Dehradun, after the monsoon this year, there has been 90 percent less rainfall than normal in the hilly areas, due to which the temperature has not dropped significantly. Generally, the rains after monsoon bring down the temperature and increase the cold, but this time there has been relatively dry weather, due to which even the mountains are feeling less cold. He said that due to western disturbance, the temperature in these areas is 2-3 degrees higher, due to which it is mildly hot during the day.
Snowfall generally begins in the Himalayan region in November, marking the beginning of the winter season in the mountains. However, this time snowfall has been hampered due to delay in western disturbance and less rainfall after monsoon. Experts believe that if western disturbance becomes active in the next few days, snowfall may start in the middle of November, which will increase the cold. On the other hand, pollution has made the situation serious in the plains of North India. The air quality has deteriorated rapidly in Delhi, Ghaziabad, Sonipat, Agra and surrounding cities. Coupled with early morning haze and fog, the Air Quality Index (AQI) in these cities was recorded above 300, which is very dangerous for health.
According to experts, due to lack of drop in temperature in the plains and the smog in the atmosphere due to pollution, it can cause many health problems. Environmentalists have warned that if such situation continues, the smog problem may become more serious in the coming winter. In North India, the impact of haze and smog may increase with the arrival of winter due to pollution from stubble burning, vehicle exhaust, and industries.
The lack of snowfall is also expected to impact the tourism industry of Uttarakhand. Every year in the month of November, a large number of tourists come to Char Dham and Himalayan region to see snowfall. Due to the lack of snowfall and relatively warm weather, local businesses and the tourism industry may face potential losses. Apart from this, due to snowfall in mountainous areas, water flow is also essential for the environment of these areas, which increases the flow of rivers and provides new energy to water sources.
The Meteorological Department has expressed the possibility that the Western Disturbance may become active soon and start a period of snowfall in Uttarakhand. The cold will increase in the coming weeks and the pollution situation is likely to improve but till now the only option is to wait for the change in weather.