Ooty Hill station in Tamil Nadu has been experiencing unseasonal and unusually cold weather in the last couple of weeks which has been raised as a cause of concern. On the other hand, Kashmir has been experiencing a dry spell. Expert reports have suggested that climate change might be the root cause of this shift in weather patterns.
Thalaikundha village, nestled in the hills, experienced an unusual drop in temperatures, reaching 0°C which is a rarity for the region. This unexpected cold sent unprepared villagers indoors to escape the biting chill, transforming the landscape into a magical white wonderland. The green grasslands were covered in a glistening blanket of white frost, extending even to popular tourist spots like Ooty Nagar and Fingerpost. However, the frosty surprise posed challenges, with many cars accumulating an inch of snow and refusing to start as per reports.
Concerns raised regarding unusual weather in TN district
The recent weather conditions in Thalaikundha, including both cold temperatures and heavy rains in December, have taken a toll on tea plantations. According to reports, the local tea workers union members highlighted the adverse impact on the tea industry. They expressed concerns and mentioned that the unusual weather patterns could potentially affect tea production in the upcoming months. The combination of cold temperatures and excessive rainfall poses challenges to the cultivation and harvesting of tea in the region.
To make the challenges faced by tea plantations worse, vegetable farmers in Thalaikundha reported adverse effects on their crops, with cabbages being particularly impacted by the unusual weather conditions. Despite wearing appropriate warm attire, individuals, especially those riding two-wheelers, encountered difficulties. The cold weather led to health issues such as breathing difficulties, severe headaches, and fever. The combination of low temperatures and challenging conditions is not only affecting agricultural yields but also posing health concerns for the local community in Thalaikundha and other parts of Ooty.
According to reports by NDTV, V. Sivadas from the Nilgiri Environment Social Trust attributed the unusual weather conditions in Thalaikundha to global warming and the El Niño effect. To Sivadas, the delayed onset of cold weather is a very real challenge for the Nilgiris. He has stated that there is a need for a more comprehensive study to better understand and analyze the climatic changes affecting the region. The impact on agriculture, health, and overall community well-being needs to be understood in order to address and adapt to these changing weather patterns in the Nilgiris.
In contrast, the absence of snow in places like Gulmarg, Sonmarg, Pahalgam and Aru Valley of Kashmir have also raised concerns of a changing climate. It is usually snowy this time of the year in these locations and the satellite images reveal a dry spell.
Unusual weather in Kashmir
The absence of snowfall in Kashmir this winter has led to a severe blow to the region’s tourism industry which usually attracts thousands of visitors for skiing and sightseeing. Last January, around 100,000 tourists visited Kashmir, but this year, officials have reported a reduction of more than half in tourist numbers.
The snowless winter is expected to have a devastating impact on the economy of Jammu and Kashmir, because the tourism sector contributes about 7% to the GDP. The consequences are not limited to tourism alone and they also extend to farming and water supply. Inadequate snowfall means that groundwater reserves may not be replenished sufficiently.
Environmentalist experts have connected the snowfall deficit and changing weather patterns to climate change. This is causing extreme weather events and prolonged dry spells in both winter and summer. The weather department in Jammu and Kashmir recorded a 79% rainfall deficit in December and a 100% reduction in January. Furthermore, the region is experiencing warmer temperatures with many stations in Kashmir reporting a 6-8°C (43-48°F) rise in temperature this winter. The total impact is not only affecting the economy but also raising concerns about the full range of environmental consequences for the region.
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