Investigating the Impact of Climate Change on Precipitation Pattern in Kinnaur District, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Climate change is a key issue confronting our planet today, and the trend of global warming will be more pronounced at high altitude zones, particularly those in the tropics and subtropics, where warming will be 3 to 5 times quicker than the rest of the globe. Continuing climate change is expected to result in significant changes in precipitation patterns, which will have an impact on river flows, groundwater recharge, natural hazards, and the ecosystem, as well as people and their livelihoods. The majority of Kinnaur is covered in snow and lies in a cold desert with high mountainous areas ranging in altitude from 2,320 to 6,816 metres (7,612 to 22,362 feet). Kinnaur's climate would be affected by any changes in precipitation. Changes in Himalayan precipitation patterns have a significant impact on the environment and ecosystem.The river, as well as the adjacent grassland and woodland ecosystems, would be impacted in a variety of ways by the change in precipitation patterns.It also increase the chances of hydro-meteorological disaster flash flood, Avalanche, flood, Glacier lake outburst flood (GLOF), changing vegetation pattern, shifting of snowline etc. To investigate the impact of climate change on precipitation patterns, we examined Kinnaur's 100-year precipitation data (from 1914 to 2013) and concluded that there is a series of wet and dry periods for 25 years, and a 50-year study of average precipitation revealed that average precipitation has been increasing since 1964. According to the above data, Kinnaur will experience a wet period in the next 20-25 years, increasing the likelihood of a hydro-meteorological calamity.