35 Yr Olds Death
in the journal ‘Weather and Climate Extremes’ which indicates a significant decreasing trend in WDs, potentially linked to climate change.
The prevailing El Niño condition — a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean — has also led to a reduction in the number of cold wave events this winter season, she said.
“So if we connect the dots, less snowfall means less ice in glaciers and ultimately less water in our rivers and groundwater aquifers. Not just the people of hilly areas who need snowfall for their tourism industry, but everybody else should also be worried about less snow in the mountains,” Singh told PTI.
The scientists warned that lack of snow and warmer temperatures during January may also create more favourable conditions for propagation of many pests which may pose a threat to crops, which otherwise may remain dormant during colder seasons.
“These may potentially lead to increased pest pressure on crops, leading to changes in the overall ecosystem dynamics,” Bandey added.
The study by Athira and her collaborators found a significant decreasing trend in the number of WDs during the winter seasons from 1982 to 2020.
The researcher noted that the number of winter WDs is anticipated to decrease in the future, making it crucial to communicate this information to farmers for enhanced preparedness, alternative irrigation practices, and sustainable water resource management.
“In the absence of these synoptic systems, farmers will be compelled to depend on external irrigation facilities, leading to additional costs to meet the water and soil moisture needs essential for the growth of these crops,” Bandey added.
Singh noted that addressing climate change necessitates a strategic focus involving a collective effort by both the government and the public.
“This includes implementing measures such as robust afforestation drives, widespread adoption of clean energy technologies, ensuring energy efficiency, promoting water conservation and rainwater harvesting, and fostering sustainable practices in farming and industrial activities,” he added. PTI
called it a pure “medical negligence” and questioned the hospital protocol.
“How come, this kind of patient was immediately referred to SMHS when he wasn’t stabilized first by the doctors at DH Budgam,” he asked.
The family said that despite the critical condition, the patient was referred to SMHS Hospital, and it took half an hour for the emergency medical services (108) to reach the hospital premises.
“He was given Hydrocortisone after waiting for 20 minutes and after that he collapsed. They referred him to the SMHS. It took half an hour for 108 to arrive at the hospital premises. How was he referred to Srinagar when he wasn’t stable”, the family members asked.
Talking to Kashmir Observer, Medical Superintendent, District Hospital, Budgam, Dr Iqbal Ahmad, said that the patient had reported to the hospital with a severe condition. He was immediately referred to the SMHS.
On asking, why wasn’t the patient stabilised first after his ECG was conducted and MI was detected, he said that he will look into the matter and get back.
The relatives, neighbours and the local civil society members of the area told Kashmir Observer that the tragic incident has raised serious concerns about the preparedness and responsiveness of medical facilities at District Hospital Budgam.
“Due to fall, the patient had received head injury and was referred properly for CT and neurosurgical consultation to SMHS,” MS Budgam said.
However the family contested the claim, alleging that no “proper referral” was made. The ambulance driver later informed the DBH about the condition of the patient and asked them to prepare the necessary documents, accordingly, the family alleged.
Meanwhile, Director Health Service Kashmir, Dr. Mushtaq Rather later in the evening visited the DHB. He also spoke to Kashmir Observer and assured of necessary action into the incident.
to tackle environmental issues and adapt to changing climatic conditions, the current administration has initiated efforts to breathe life into the dormant plan. This new plan is anticipated to be put into effect in the coming years.
The plan was formed in 2014 by a governing council headed by the Chief Secretary and an expert committee headed by the Director, Environment & Remote Sensing and supervised by then Chief Minister.
Various sectors, including EnergySolar Mission and Renewable Energy, Enhanced Energy Efficiency, Water, Sustainable Habitat, Sustainable Agriculture, Tourism, Sustainable Himalayan Ecosystem, Health, Disaster Management, Strategic Knowledge Mission, and Green India Mission, were identified as integral components of the Climate Change Action Plan for Jammu and Kashmir.
According to sources from the Environment & Remote Sensing department, the plan needed an amount of 6000 crores to be implemented, however, the funds weren’t provided by the central government at that time.
“Also, there wasn’t much climate awareness while framing the action plan at that time. So there were a number of loopholes,” said the official, wishing not to be named.
Now, as the valley is grappling with a prolonged dry spell, the department of Environment & Remote Sensing has been tasked to frame a comprehensive Climate Change Action Plan separately for Jammu and Kashmir divisions.
“We have been working on the plan since October 2023. Various departments have been consulted and kept onboard to frame it,” the official said, adding, “if every department gave their proposals on time, the union territory will have a comprehensive action plan ready in the month of March.”
The document, according to the official, will then go to the central government for approval.
He said the study will be conducted at the micro-level that will capture climate variability at the local level.
“If this climate action plan is implemented, we will be able to face any climate challenge in the near future,” he added.
He further said the new action plan will go through every sector including transport, industries, factors of aviation, agricultural sector and study the quantity of greenhouse gasses emerging and will frame a mechanism where these glasses would be sink-in.
“For instance if we have 10 tons of greenhouse gasses emerging from different sectors, we should have a sufficient number of trees that would sink-in these glasses and how much we need to accommodate more.We will provide that details in this study,” he added.
The official further said that the new study will have an “adaptation and mitigation” model based on the vulnerability of the region.
“We will carry out a vulnerability analysis of the region so that we will implement this model,” he added. “We will carry out study in every district of UT and find out what makes the area vulnerable and suggest ways out.”
Lately, climate change is making a significant impact in the Himalayan region, which is witnessing extreme weather events, prolonged dry spells in both winter and summer. The region is also experiencing warmer days than National Capital New Delhi and other states which wasn’t the case earlier.
The unusual weather patterns are making a significant impact on groundwater, electricity, fish production and agriculture. Many wetlands in J&K that support 20% of the known range of biodiversity in the region are adversely affected.The absence of snow on mountains and plains has raised an alarm across the valley, with experts warning about potential repercussions of this dry winter.
Interestingly, the UT administration is yet to have a meeting on the crises and frame a policy to mitigate any challenges.