Uttarakhand Faces Over 90% Decline in Winter Rainfall, Threatening Crops
Better Never Than Late? Uttarakhand’s Winter Rainfall Down Over 90%, Timing Is Killing Crops
News 18
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Uttarakhand, India, is experiencing a severe decline in winter rainfall, with levels dropping from 182 mm in 2021 to about 12 mm in 2024, a decrease of over 90%. This shift is disrupting traditional farming schedules, leading to crop damage and water shortages as rainfall arrives too late to benefit crops.
- 01Winter rainfall in Uttarakhand has decreased by over 90% from 2021 to 2024.
- 02Late rainfall is damaging crops, leading to increased fungal infections and lower grain quality.
- 03The decline in snowfall is compounding water shortages, affecting groundwater recharge and spring flows.
- 04Farmers are losing confidence in predictable farming cycles, leading to greater dependence on market-bought food.
- 05The cumulative effects of these changes are causing structural shifts in rural livelihoods.
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Uttarakhand, India, is facing a dramatic decline in winter rainfall, with levels plummeting from 182 mm in 2021 to approximately 12 mm in 2024, marking a decline of over 90%. This significant reduction is disrupting the agricultural calendar, as crops planted in October and November require consistent moisture that is increasingly absent. Instead, farmers are witnessing rain arriving late, often in February or March, which can damage crops close to harvest and exacerbate issues like fungal infections. Additionally, snowfall, which acts as a crucial slow-release water source, has also diminished, leading to what scientists term a 'snow drought.' The lack of winter precipitation is causing earlier drying of springs and streams, which in turn threatens drinking water supplies during the summer months. Farmers are now faced with unpredictable weather patterns, making agriculture a gamble and increasing reliance on market-bought food. The cumulative effects of these changes are reshaping rural life in Uttarakhand, as communities adapt to an uncertain future.
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The decline in winter rainfall and snowfall is leading to crop failures and water shortages, directly affecting farmers and rural communities in Uttarakhand.
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