While the February 7 disaster in Chamoli district shocked the nation, the probable reason for the glacier break which resulted in the flood in Rishiganga and Dhauliganga rivers may not come as a surprise. The scientists attribute this disaster to global warming and rise in the temperature in the Himalayan region. According to the research conducted by scientists the temperature of the middle Himalayan region has risen by about 1.5 degrees Celsius in the past 30 years. This has had various effects like the flowering of the rhododendron flower that generally occurs during the month of March is being witnessed in the month of February in recent years.
The research conducted by scientists from the agriculture meteorological department of the GB Pant University of Agriculture and Technology ascertains that the temperature in the middle Himalayas has risen by 1.5 degrees Celsius. Scientist from the university, RK Singh stated that the research shows that the temperature rose 0.4 degrees Celsius from 1990 to 2000 and 0.9 degrees Celsius from 2001 to 2010. Further, the temperature rose by 0.5 degrees Celsius from 2011 to 2020 and according to this the temperature has risen by about 1.6 degree Celsius.
Singh further states that the region has registered an increase in cases of cloudbursts due to rise in temperatures along with erratic rainfall. The change in flowering period of rhododendron can also be attributed to the rise in temperatures thus indicating global warming. The human interference in form of deforestation is also responsible for climatic changes in the region and if corrective measures are not taken then it could have adverse impact on the environment resulting in disaster as witnessed in Chamoli district where over more than 200 people went missing with the bodies of 61 having been found so far.
Friday, 19 February 2021 | Vinod Chamoli |New Tehri
