(Presently
the Physical Climate in Kashmir and the rest of the sub-continent is quite
unpredictable and could turn scary!)
There has been a
significant change in the physical climate both in the entire sub-continent and
the Valley of Kashmir. Apparently it is part of the global climate change. In
the middle of June it has snowed on Baderwah Mountains and may be other places
also. The night temperature has been sometimes around 11 degrees Celsius which
is unusual for the month of June. In fact, a recent photograph in a local daily
showed a man carrying kangris for sale (Kashmiri earthen pot with hot coals
used by local population for keeping one warm in winter). Normally, June is the
season for ice creams and cold drinks. But then things keep on changing and now
the changes happen without a notice. Compared to Kashmir, most parts of the
sub-continent are virtually boiling! Temperatures range from 42 to 49 degrees
Celsius! An interesting aspect of the rains in the valley at present is the
local formation of clouds due to the heat during day. The massive amount of
snow which the mountains surrounding the valley have received during the last
winter acts as a ready-made source for increased precipitation and formation of
local clouds. Invariably, there is a thunder shower in the evening almost every
day. This keeps our temperatures down and the nights are cool or sometimes even
cold!
Apart from the usual
global factors like gas emissions especially the exhaust gases of automobiles,
pollution due to many industrial activities an important contributor is the
loss of the green cover. Smog is now a constant companion of many metros. Especially,
the capital Delhi is a virtual chronic patient of smog! The loss of greenery is
definitely a major factor in the rise of sudden temperatures resulting in
climatic change. In May this year, almost all major cities in India experienced
temperatures in the range of 42 to 49 degrees Celsius. Whole of India has
become hot! The loss of green cover during last few years has been substantial.
According to a survey, in recent years about 11 crore trees have been cut all
over India for roads, industrial units and many other projects. In contrast,
only 1 crore trees have been planted. It is now an established fact that the
overall global temperature has definitely risen. This has resulted in melting
of the ice in the Polar Regions. Even in Antarctica there has been appreciable
melting of the ice. The melting of the polar ice has resulted in a significant rise
in the sea level. There are predictions that with the further increase in global
temperature and consequent rise in sea level many Island Countries like
Maldives will go under water! The early effects of the climate change have been
distinctly visible even in the Middle East. In UAE, there was a snowfall in one
of the Emirates. Additionally, there have been rains in the desert not known
earlier. Even Saudi Arabia had a snowfall in some areas.
The environmental
situation is virtually same in the whole sub-continent. However, Kashmir
appears to be the only cool place in this entire region! Even though the
climate here too has been behaving erratically, yet the heat seems to have been
substantially lessened this year. Because of the heavy snowfall on the
mountains during the last winter one can still see the entire Pir Panjal Range
covered with snow. The excessive precipitation is definitely also because of the
green cover which appears to have increased substantially over the last few
years. The accelerated plantation of willows, poplars, and the conversion of
extensive areas into orchards has definitely increased the green cover. Vast
areas of land including paddy lands have been converted into housing and other
constructions but on the other hand there has also been an increase in green
areas. Notwithstanding the fact that in many places the national tree of
Kashmir, the Chinar has been mercilessly cut; the people seem to have become
very fond of trees, plants, flowers and kitchen gardens. Invariably in most of
the new constructions especially in private housing colonies people prefer to
have small kitchen gardens, trees and shrubs.
The scary part of this
climate change is the floods! The last devastating flood of 2014 which is
supposed to have occurred almost after a century still gives nightmares to the
people. This is especially so because the concerned authorities reportedly have
done nothing to ensure that there is no repetition of the catastrophe. In a
recent meeting of engineers in a local club it was revealed that hardly
anything has been done to prevent occurrence of future floods. The so called
dredging of the River and the flood channel through a Kolkata based firm is a
scandal. Neither there has been extensive dredging as per norms and
requirements all along the River especially wherever it is technically required
nor any steps have been taken to strengthen the embankments all along the
Capital city. Come September and we may be once again devastated! One cannot
fight nature. One has to respect it and live in harmony with it. With certain
preventive measures taken sincerely one can harmonise with nature.
Unfortunately, both the rulers and the people seem to be doing the reverse! In
such circumstances, one can only keep fingers crossed and pray for God’s mercy!
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