Photo used for indicative purpose only
Shimla/ Dehradun, Sept 3,
As torrential rains batter Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand, raising river levels and triggering floods, expert warn that the Himalayan region is facing a dangerous shift in rainfall patterns.
Geologist Dr. S.P. Satti from Uttarakhand says the unusual severity of current rains is not just a monsoon phenomenon but the outcome of a rare combination of weather systems. “Rainfall in North India is controlled by two systems—the South-West Monsoon in summer and Western Disturbances in winter. Normally, they act separately. But sometimes, both get active together, and when a low-pressure system and Arabian Sea moisture also align, the result is torrential, widespread rainfall,” he explained.
Such overlapping systems were behind the June 2013 Kedarnath disaster, and a similar situation exists now, though more pronounced over Kashmir. “This time, the low-pressure zone extends across the western Himalayas. That is why almost every river, from Kashmir to Uttarakhand, is flowing near or above danger mark,” noted Dr. Satti who is also associated with Gyan Vigyan Samiti, Uttrakhand in a social media message
The impact is being felt in both the mountains and the plains, with rivers inundating large stretches and flooding expanding downstream.
Dr. Satti attributed the rising frequency of these events to climate change. He pointed out that the rainy season itself is shifting, arriving early or lingering late. “In Uttarakhand, the monsoon arrived early in 2013. In recent years, it has stayed until October, which is a month longer than usual,” he noted.
Another worrying trend is the intensity of rainfall in higher altitudes. “Earlier, torrential rains were rare in the high Himalayan belt, but now we are witnessing them regularly,” the geologist warned.
With climate instability and fragile mountain ecosystems, experts caution that such extreme weather events could become the “new normal” for the Himalayan region.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
