New Delhi, 8 December 2024: Snow cover in the Ganges and Indus river basin regions of the Himalayas has plunged to its lowest level in six years, contributing to an unusually mild winter across North India.
According to ISRO data, the Ganges river basin’s snow cover is down by 40% compared to last year, while the Indus river basin has seen a 10-20% reduction.
This decline is being blamed for the lack of a biting winter despite December being underway. Daytime temperatures in most cities are hovering between 25°C and 31°C, while the northern plains are seeing temperatures of 22°C to 28°C—higher than typical for this time of year.
Meteorologists attribute the reduced snowfall to weak western disturbances since the end of the monsoon season.
Unlike previous years, these disturbances failed to produce significant snowfall, leading to a lower accumulation of snow in the Himalayas.
Snow levels in the region naturally fluctuate during winter, as snowfall typically occurs one or two times per week.
However, the current conditions are raising concerns about the long-term impact on water resources and regional climate patterns.
