Western Himalayas Experience Snowless Winter Amid Dry Conditions and Fire Risks

The western Himalayas, including Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu Kashmir, are experiencing an unusually snowless winter marked by minimal rainfall and snowfall, with Uttarakhand recording a 100% rainfall deficit in December and no precipitation in January. This dry spell has raised concerns about future water availability, increased forest fire risks, and impacts on agriculture and livelihoods. While forest fire incidents have been limited and not severe, officials warn that dry conditions heighten vulnerability. Meteorologists attribute the pattern to weak Western Disturbances and note a long-term decline in winter precipitation in the region.