rising-heat-in-ladakh-sparks-flash-flood-fears

A blistering heatwave sweeping across India is now encroaching on typically cool mountainous regions like Ladakh, sparking fears of potentially catastrophic consequences such as flash floods and exacerbating water scarcity issues. 

 

As temperatures soar well above seasonal norms, the fragile Himalayan ecosystem faces unprecedented challenges, heightening concerns over its environmental stability.

 

Even though the 26.2 degrees may not appear too frightening on the IMD scale, it is above normal, considering the temperature was recorded in the snow-capped, relatively cooler Nubra Valley, where temperatures usually remain pleasant throughout the summers.

 

According to IMD, these temperatures may rise further in the coming days, which could be dangerous for the entire ecosystem of Ladakh. 

 

Ladakh, nestled between the towering Himalayas, experiences harsh winters where temperatures plummet below freezing at night. 

 

However, heat waves can push mercury levels well above typical summer averages, leading to the rapid melting of glaciers and snowfields. 

 

These frozen reservoirs, critical for maintaining water supply during the dry season, are now at risk of depleting earlier and faster than in previous years. The consequences of heat-induced glacier melt are dire.

 

Glacial lakes, originating from the mountains, often form natural dams, holding back vast volumes of water.

 

When heatwaves cause these glaciers to melt rapidly, the pressure on these natural dams increases, causing glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).

 

According to various reports, approximately 200 people died in the 2010 Ladakh flash floods. The disaster, triggered by heavy rainfall and glacial melt, caused widespread devastation in the region.

 

"The 2010 flash floods were a wake-up call for us," recalls a local official, adding, “We realised the vulnerability of our region to sudden climatic shifts and the urgent need for robust adaptation measures."

 

The ecological balance of Ladakh further complicates its susceptibility to flash floods. The region's stark, naked mountains, devoid of protective forest cover, exacerbate the impact of heavy rainfall or rapid glacial meltdown during the heatwave. 

 

Without vegetation to absorb water and stabilise soil, rainwater cascades down slopes unchecked, increasing the risk of landslides and flash floods downstream.