SRINAGAR: High-altitude areas in Jammu and Kashmir have warmed by nearly 1 degree Celsius over the past two decades, with mountain stations showing a faster temperature increase than lower elevations, according to a recent study. The findings indicate substantial changes in the Himalayan climate system, potentially impacting glaciers, river water security, and climate resilience across northern India.
Information was available with The Chenab Times indicating that the study, published in Scientific Reports and titled “Warming of the high-mountainous climate sensitive Jammu and Kashmir during the period 1980–2024,” analyzed ground-based observations and atmospheric reanalysis data from 1980 to 2024. Researchers from the Centre for Ocean, River, Atmosphere and Land Sciences (CORAL) at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur conducted the research.
The study identified a distinct pattern of elevation-dependent warming, where temperatures rose most rapidly at mountain stations including Bhaderwah, Pahalgam, and Gulmarg. In contrast, lower-elevation areas like Jammu exhibited comparatively weaker or insignificant long-term warming trends. A notable finding was that night-time minimum temperatures are increasing at a considerably faster rate than daytime maximum temperatures, particularly during the pre-monsoon season, signaling profound shifts within the Himalayan climate system.
Annual mean temperatures at some mid-elevation stations reportedly increased by up to 0.3 degrees Celsius per decade. Pre-monsoon night-time temperatures saw an even sharper rise, escalating by as much as 0.6 degrees Celsius per decade. Statistical analyses suggest that changes in snow cover and surface reflectivity are primary drivers of winter warming at higher elevations. Conversely, increasing atmospheric moisture and enhanced longwave radiation are contributing to the rapid increase in night-time temperatures throughout the year.
Professor Jayanarayanan Kuttippurath, a lead researcher, stated that the Himalaya is one of the most climate-sensitive regions globally and that the warming observed is not uniform across different elevations. He emphasized that the accelerated warming in mountain regions poses a significant threat to glaciers, seasonal snow cover, freshwater availability, and ecosystem stability, with consequences extending well beyond the Himalayas.
GS Gopikrishnan, another author of the study, highlighted the significance of the sharp rise in minimum temperatures. He explained that warmer nights reduce natural cooling processes, accelerate the melting of snow and ice, and alter mountain hydrology. He further noted that these long-term observations offer critical evidence for refining climate projections and planning adaptation strategies in Himalayan regions.
Professor Kuttippurath added that the findings also provide insights into the specific mechanisms driving mountain warming. The interaction between altitude, snow-albedo feedback, atmospheric moisture, and radiation creates distinct warming patterns across the complex terrain of the Himalayas. This understanding is deemed essential for developing science-based climate adaptation and disaster-risk reduction strategies.
The researchers cautioned that the continuation of these warming trends could lead to accelerated glacier retreat, reduced snow storage, altered river flows, an increased likelihood of climate-related hazards, and ultimately threaten the livelihoods of communities dependent on Himalayan water resources. They advocated for strengthened mountain climate monitoring, sustained observational efforts, and targeted adaptation policies to protect one of the world’s most vulnerable ecosystems.
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