Snowfall Deficit in the Western Himalayas

• 20 Jan 2026

For Prelims: Himalayas, Westerly Jet Stream, Western Disturbances, Mediterranean Sea, National Mission on Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem 

For Mains: Western Disturbances and Indian Winter Climate, Impact of Climate Change on Himalayan Cryosphere, Snowfall Variability and Water Security in India

Source:IE

Why in News?  

Large parts of the western Himalayas are experiencing an unusually dry and snowless winter, with Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Jammu & Kashmir recording severe rainfall deficits in December–January, raising concerns over climate variability, water security, agriculture, and forest fires. 

Summary 

• Snowfall deficit in the western Himalayas is driven by weak and moisture-deficient Western Disturbances, altered jet stream patterns, and rising winter temperatures that reduce snow persistence and cause precipitation to fall as rain instead of snow. 
• Delayed and reduced snowfall threatens water security, rabi agriculture, glacier health, forest stability, and Himalayan livelihoods, highlighting the need for climate-adaptive policies and region-specific interventions. 

What are the Causes of Snowfall Deficit In The Western Himalayas? 

• Weak and Moisture-Deficient WDs: Western Disturbances(WDs) are the primary source of winter snowfall in the Western Himalayas.  
  • In recent winters, including 2025–26, most disturbances have been weak, carrying limited moisture. Shallow low-pressure systems have reduced vertical uplift, resulting in short-lived precipitation events and poor snow accumulation. 
  • Weak circulation in WDs reduced their residence time, limiting cloud formation and condensation, and thereby lowering snowfall and rainfall over the western Himalayas. 
• Altered Trajectory of WDs: Several WDs have followed a northward path at higher latitudes.  
  • This diversion has resulted in limited snowfall over parts of Kashmir while Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand remained largely dry, reducing the overall spread of winter precipitation. 
• Weakened Interaction With Moisture-Bearing Winds: Normally, WDs interact with moisture-laden winds from the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea.  
  • In recent years, this wind confluence has weakened, reducing cloud formation and snowfall over the Himalayan region. 
• Changes In the Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream: The Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream guides WDs toward the Indian subcontinent.  
  • Its recent weakening and positional shifts have pushed weather systems away from India or caused them to lose strength before landfall, resulting in delayed and reduced snowfall. 
• Long-Term Climatic Variability: Global warming has increased winter temperatures in mountain regions, raising the snowline altitude.  
  • Consequently, precipitation that would earlier fall as snow increasingly occurs as rain, especially at lower and mid-elevations. 
  • Repeated dry winters over the past decade indicate a broader climatic shift. Studies suggest a marginal but consistent decline in winter precipitation across parts of North India, reflecting increasing climate variability rather than a one-time anomaly. 

Western Disturbances (WDs)  

• WDs are large eastward-moving rain-bearing wind systems or extra-tropical weather systems that originate over the Mediterranean Sea, Black Sea, and Caspian Sea. 
• They are low-pressure systems embedded in the Westerly Jet Stream. During winter, the jet stream steers these disturbances eastward toward the Indian subcontinent. While travelling across West Asia, Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan, they accumulate moisture. 
  • When they finally encounter the Himalayan barrier, the air is forced to rise, cool, and condense, producing rainfall over the plains and snowfall  at higher altitudes.  
  • Due to this west-to-east progression, Kashmir typically receives snowfall first, followed by Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, and occasionally Nepal and parts of Northeast India. 

What are the Implications of Delayed or Snowless Himalayan Winters? 

• Threats to Water Security: Snowfall in the Himalayas acts as a natural water reservoir, releasing water gradually through snowmelt.  
  • Reduced snowfall adversely affects glacier mass balance and accelerates glacial retreat, threatening the long-term sustainability of Himalayan rivers such as the Ganga, Yamuna, and Indus, with serious implications for water availability downstream during the summer months, affecting both mountain regions and downstream plains. 
• Adverse Impact on Agriculture: Winter rainfall and early snowfall are crucial for rabi crops such as wheat and mustard.  
  • Early snow allows moisture to percolate slowly into the soil, supporting crop growth.  
  • Delayed snowfall melts rapidly due to higher daytime temperatures, providing limited agricultural benefit. 
• Increased Forest Fire Risk: The absence of snowfall reduces moisture in forest floors, making them highly vulnerable to fires.  
  • Dry winters have increased forest fire vulnerability in the Himalayas, already evident in regions such as the Valley of Flowers range and Nanda Devi National Park, leading to ecological damage and added pressure on disaster management systems. 
• Ecological and Biodiversity Stress: Himalayan ecosystems depend on predictable snow cycles for plant dormancy and wildlife survival.  
  • Snowless winters disrupt these cycles, threatening alpine biodiversity and destabilising fragile mountain ecosystems. 
• Socio-economic Consequences: Snowfall deficit affects winter tourism, horticulture, and livelihoods in Himalayan states.  
  • Reduced snow cover impacts apple cultivation and tourism-based income, increasing economic uncertainty for local communities. 

What Steps can India Take to Address Snowfall Deficit in the Himalayas? 

• Strengthen Snow And Weather Monitoring: Expand high-altitude automatic weather stations under the India Meteorological Department in Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, and Ladakh. 
  • Integrate satellite-based snow monitoring (INSAT, Cartosat) to improve Western Disturbance forecasting and snowfall prediction. 
• Artificial Glaciers and Snow Storage: Scale up artificial glacier and ice-stupa projects pioneered in Ladakh under the 2025 International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation to store winter water and release it during spring, offsetting reduced natural snowfall. 
• Catchment and Spring Rejuvenation: Strengthen spring-shed management under programmes supported by NITI Aayog in Himalayan states to recharge groundwater, especially where reduced snowmelt is affecting drinking water sources. 
  • "Dhara Vikas" model (successfully used in Sikkim) can be used as a precedent for spring rejuvenation in Uttarakhand/HP. 
  • Strengthen glacier monitoring under the National Mission on Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) and integrate findings into basin-level planning for rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna. 
• Climate-Resilient Rabi Agriculture: Promote short-duration and drought-tolerant wheat and mustard varieties through Indian Council of Agricultural Research, and expand micro-irrigation to reduce dependence on uncertain winter rainfall. 
• Forest Fire Prevention: Enhance early-warning systems, fire lines, and community fire brigades in vulnerable zones like Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve under the guidelines of the National Disaster Management Authority. 
• Sustainable Winter Tourism: States like Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh should diversify tourism beyond snow-based activities by promoting winter cultural tourism, wellness tourism, and regulated eco-treks to reduce economic shocks from delayed snowfall. 
• Mainstream Snow Variability Into Policy: Explicitly factor delayed snowfall and reduced snow persistence into State Action Plans on Climate Change (SAPCCs) and disaster management plans of Himalayan states.

Conclusion 

The snowfall deficit in the western Himalayas reflects structural changes in regional climate behaviour, particularly the weakening effectiveness of WDs. Its implications cut across water security, agriculture, disaster risk, and ecological stability, making it a critical governance and climate adaptation challenge for India. 

Drishti Mains Question:

“Snowfall deficit in the western Himalayas is no longer a short-term anomaly but a climate signal.” Analyse. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. What are Western Disturbances and why are they important for India?
Western Disturbances are extra-tropical weather systems originating over the Mediterranean region that provide crucial winter rainfall and snowfall to north and northwest India.

2. Why is snowfall deficit increasing in the western Himalayas?
Weak and moisture-deficient Western Disturbances, altered jet stream patterns, rising temperatures, and reduced snow persistence due to climate change are key reasons.

3. How does reduced snowfall affect India’s water security?
Lower snowfall reduces glacier recharge and snowmelt, threatening long-term flows of rivers like the Ganga, Yamuna, and Indus.

4. Why is snowfall deficit linked to forest fires in the Himalayas?
Reduced snow lowers forest-floor moisture, increasing fire vulnerability, as seen in regions like the Valley of Flowers and Nanda Devi National Park.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs)

Prelims:

Q. Consider the following pairs: (2020)

Peak                               Mountains  

1. Namcha Barwa - Garhwal Himalaya 
2. Nanda Devi -  Kumaon Himalaya 
3. Nokrek - Sikkim Himalaya 

Which of the pairs given above is/are correctly matched?  

(a) 1 and 2  

(b) 2 only  

(c) 1 and 3  

(d) 3 only  

Ans: (b)  

Q. If you travel through the Himalayas, you are likely to see which of the following plants are naturally growing there? (2014)

1. Oak  
2. Rhododendron  
3. Sandalwood  

Select the correct answer using the code given below:  

(a) 1 and 2 only  

(b) 3 only  

(c) 1 and 3 only  

(d) 1, 2 and 3  

Ans: (a)  

Q. When you travel in Himalayas, you will see the following: (2012)

1. Deep gorges  
2. U-turn river courses  
3. Parallel mountain ranges  
4. Steep gradients causing landsliding  

Which of the above can be said to be the evidence for Himalayas being young fold mountains?  

(a) 1 and 2 only  

(b) 1, 2 and 4 only  

(c) 3 and 4 only  

(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4  

Ans: (d)

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Mains:

Q1. Differentiate the causes of landslides in the Himalayan region and Western Ghats. (2021) 

Q2. How will the melting of Himalayan glaciers have a far-reaching impact on the water resources of India? (2020)  

Q3. “The Himalayas are highly prone to landslides.” Discuss the causes and suggest suitable measures of mitigation. (2016)