Anomalies in weather pattern during the last decade in the Himalayan region have now become a point of discussion among scientists and academicians.
Uttarakhand Meteorological Centre director Anand Sharma opined that change in weather reported in the last few years is a normal phenomenon. The DAV (PG) College head of Geography department Dinesh Pratap said that it is too early to say that change in weather in the region is because of global warming.
However, some events which occurred in the last decade have indicated the impact of global warming. Accelerated melting of snow, flood, storms, excessive rainfall, snowfall, irregular changes in temperature in summer and extreme cold in winter and other such events indicate the impact of global warming.
Meanwhile, the weather department report revealed that the maximum temperature in Dehradun this year was recorded at 41 degree C on June 7.
In 2013, the maximum temperature was recorded at 37.0 degree C on June 14 and 42.01 degree C on June 4 in 2012; 41.02 degree C on June 3 in 2010; 41.09 degree C on June 23 in 2009; 40.03 degree C on June 7 in 2007; 41.01 degree C on June 19 in 2005 and 40.01degree C on June 4 in 2003. In Dehradun, the maximum temperature was recorded at 43.9 degree C (highest temperature all time) on June 4 in the year 1902.
Moreover, in the month of June, the maximum rainfall was recorded at 1094.8 mm (highest rainfall all time) in 2013. 370.2 mm rainfall was recorded on June 17 (highest rainfall all time in 24 hours). 81 mm rainfall was recorded in 2012, 396.5 mm rainfall in 2011; 134 mm in 2010; 125.5 mm in 2009; 593.8 mm in 2008; 78 mm in 2007; 139.3 mm in 2006; 98.5 mm in 2005 and 359.3 mm in 2004.
This year, the monsoon is expected to arrive in Uttarakhand in the last week of June or July first week but monsoon had reached the state on June 14 in 2013; July 5 in 2012, 24 June in 2011 and July 5 in 2010. The anomalies in weather pattern during the last decade in Uttarakhand have become a point of discussion among scientists and academicians.
Academicians opine that weather pattern is measured once every 30 to 50 years so it is early to say that change in weather in the region is because of global warming.