The hills of Uttarakhand, unlike neighboring states like Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, are still waiting for the arrival of rainfall or snow this season. The lack of precipitation since September has created a dire situation for rain-fed agriculture, leaving small and marginal farmers struggling to sustain their livelihoods.
According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), Uttarakhand recorded nearly 90% less rainfall than average between October 1 and November 24, with 11 out of its 13 districts receiving little to no rainfall. Neighboring Himachal Pradesh faced a 98% deficit, while Jammu & Kashmir saw a 68% shortfall during the same period.
This drought-like situation has drastically impacted the sowing of key winter crops like wheat, barley, and lentils, which rely heavily on timely rainfall. As 86% of Uttarakhand’s land is mountainous, only 14% of farmland in these regions is irrigated, making agriculture highly dependent on rainfall.
Farmers like Vijay Jadhari from Tehri have lamented the unprecedented challenges brought about by changing weather patterns. “In the past, we always received rain in time for sowing wheat seeds. Now, fields remain dry, barren, and unsown,” Jadhari told Down to Earth. He further emphasized that horticulture and small-scale farmers, who constitute a majority in the region, are the worst affected.
Without rainfall, crop failures not only threaten food security but also disrupt farmers’ livelihoods. Jadhari also expressed concerns that the continued lack of rain will lead to water shortages in rivers and drinking water supplies, exacerbating the crisis in the coming summer.
According to Bikram Singh, Director of IMD-Dehradun, Uttarakhand generally receives rainfall between October and December due to western disturbances—weather systems originating in the Mediterranean region that bring rain and snow to the Himalayas. However, Singh pointed out that western disturbances are less active in November, leading to a long-term average of just 6.4 mm of rainfall for the month.
The current rainfall deficit, Singh notes, reflects a larger climatic imbalance. Reduced post-monsoon rainfall leads to greater fluctuations in precipitation patterns, pushing farmers into a prolonged period of uncertainty.
The impact of climate change on western disturbances is increasingly visible. A study published in Weather and Climate Dynamics indicates a rise in western disturbances during summer months, doubling their frequency in June over the past 20 years compared to the previous five decades. This shift disrupts the traditional post-monsoon and winter precipitation cycles, which are critical for Himalayan agriculture.
The decline in winter rains not only delays wheat sowing but also impacts water resource replenishment and the accumulation of snow in glaciers, threatening long-term water availability for both irrigation and drinking needs.
For Uttarakhand’s farmers, the ongoing rainfall deficit signals a grim reminder of the urgency of addressing climate change-induced disruptions. Experts emphasize the need for:
As the region braces for another dry winter, the farmers of Uttarakhand are not just awaiting rain—they are hoping for a lifeline to secure their crops, livelihoods, and future.
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