The pre-monsoon months in Uttarakhand this year —March, April and May—are likely to be warmer this year than normal, the Met officials say. The average temperature would be at least 1 degree Celsius higher than what was prevalent in the previous summers in most of the regions across the State, they add.
Observers say that with the state now grappling with the scanty rainfall during the winter months-January and February, the forecast of a warmer summer bodes ill. “It means that chances of a spike in forest fire incidents would be there. Besides, the water scarcity crisis plaguing the mountains might turn more acute. Soaring mercury would adversely impact agriculture and horticulture, now not in a good shape. On the whole, things look grim,” an observer said.
A Met official said that the temperature variations would differ from region to region. “Heat wave occurs when the mercury shoots five degrees above the normal. We are not ruling out chances of such heat waves sweeping across a large swathe of the State during the peak of the summer. Scanty rainfall coupled with a more scorching summer must make things difficult for those engaged in cultivation. Dependent as they are on rain for irrigation, they incur loss,” said a weather official.
As per statistics, the rain deficit for Uttarakhand during winter season between January 1 and February 28 is a staggering 68 per cent.
The farmers, particularly those involved in horticulture, are anxious over an enormous volume of crop and other loss staring them in the face. Uttarakhand has received 33.7 mm showers on the average against the normal figure of 106.1 mm, showing 68 per cent deficient rains as compared to the normal between January 1 and February 28.
Uttarakhand Meteorological centre director Bikram Singh said that such a report of a warmer summer ahead has been released based on long range forecast of the weather department.
“last year too, such report on soaring temperature was released. Such forecast might hold true for other states. But, in Uttarakhand, things might not turn as grim as being forecast,” he added.