Despite increase in area under snowfall, glacier cover was reduced by 19 to 25 pc in these months
SHIMLA: Despite a 19.47 per cent in the total area under snowfall during the last winter as compared to 18 per cent decline in 2019-20, the abrupt rise in temperature in March-April at various basins has resulted in the accelerated glacial melting as compared to previous years, a report in The Tribune, Chandigarh,says.
The mapping of the seasonal snow in various river basins of the Chenab, the Beas, the Ravi, the Satluj, the Spiti and the Baspa through satellite imagery has indicated that the unusually warm March and April this year had resulted in glaciers melting at a faster pace and reduction in snow cover by 19-25 per cent as compared to 4-10 per cent during March-April 2021.
“The spatial distribution of snow from October to April and its mapping is important to understand the contribution of snow in different catchments to sustain the hydrology of the river basins,” said Lalit Jain, Member Secretary, Council for Environment, Science and Technology.
The early onset of winters and snow in October-November resulted in more area under snow but early summers too have contributed in accelerated glacial melting. The temperature in April had been almost seven to eight degrees higher than normal this year.
In the Chenab basin, the rise in temperature was 1.3°C, 8.3°C and 3°C in March, April and May. Similarly, the increase was 2.3°C, 6.1°C and 3.5°C in March, April and May in Chamba and Dalhousie in the Ravi basin.
The unusually high temperature in April, March and May were experienced in the Beas basin with the maximum temperature being higher by 3°C , 7.3°C and 5°C in the three months. In the Sutlej basin too, the rise in the maximum temperature was 2.8°C. 8.2°C and 2.9°C in these months.
While the Chenab and Ravi basins exhibited negative snow trends, the Sutlej and Beas basins showed positive trends. This could have been attributed to the fact that Chenab and Ravi basins are adjacent to the Pir Panjal ranges and may have controlled the western disturbances. On the other hand, the Sutlej and Beas basins are on the south and southeastern side, reflecting a positive trend.
June 5 hottest day in Chandigarh in 5 years; City sizzles at 44.5°C, six degrees above normal
Sunday, June 5 turned out to be the hottest day in Chandigarh in past five years and there is no respite in sight in the coming days.
Heatwave conditions are considered when the maximum temperature is over 40°C and is 4.5°C to 6.4°C above normal for the day.
The department has issued a heatwave warning for the next five days.
The maximum temperature in the city on Sunday, June 5, was 44.5°C, six degrees above normal. Last year, the highest maximum temperature in June was 41.9°C. In June 2020, the highest maximum temperature was 40.4°C. It remained a bit higher in June 2019 when the highest maximum temperature was 44.2°C.
Manmohan Singh, Director, Chandigarh Meteorological Department, commenting on the rising temperatures said: “Southwest winds are coming from Rajasthan. Whenever that happens, hot conditions prevail. Secondly, the weather has been dry.
“Temperatures will continue to stay on the higher side till June 9. There could be some relief after that as a western disturbance is likely. There could be a probability of rain,” said the Met Director.
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