After a 17-year hiatus, Himachal is enjoying a dry January, with no rain falling in the state for the first eight days. The region's crops are beginning to suffer from the lack of rain. Himachal Pradesh is experiencing extreme drought, with minimal chances of light snowfall in the upper altitudes of Kinnaur, Lahaul-Spiti, Chamba, and Kullu. A diminished Western Disturbance caused by the development of a low-pressure area in the North Pole and the Mediterranean region is blamed for this change in the climate.
"Typically, active disturbances result from the convergence of cold air from the North Pole and hot air from the Mediterranean region," stated Surender Paul, head of the Shimla Meteorological Centre. But this time, there is unusually little wind in the North Pole, and the winds are impeded from moving forward by a strong area of low pressure. As a result, the Pacific Ocean is experiencing higher than usual temperatures.
Drought and fog are problems for farmers in the low-lying plains and hills of Himachal Pradesh. Small and delicate plants like garlic, wheat, and peas suffer the most from the fog in wet locations. Older and smaller plants are at risk due to the ongoing fog, even though some farmers have planted new fruit trees.
This is a serious obstacle for growers of citrus fruit and farmers, necessitating creative solutions to protect their harvests. Dr. Yashwant Singh Parmar University of Forestry and Horticulture's agricultural experts have given farmers and fruit growers advice on how to preserve their crops from frost. Small fruit plants should be covered with materials like grass, reeds, and dry maize stalks, according to Satish Bhardwaj, head of the environmental science department.
