Snow layer thinning in Humla’s mountains

By Rajan Rawat,Humla, July 17: The snow cover in the high Himalayan region, which used to remain white throughout the year in Humla, has visibly decreased. The decline is attributed to less snowfall during winter, and rising temperature, which causes quicker melting of snow.

Paljor Tamang, the Ward Chairperson of Limi in Namkha Rural Municipality-6, said that in the past, snow in the Nyaluk Lek area used to remain around 4 to 5 feet deep all year. Now, even in that high-altitude region -- located at around 5,000 metres above sea level -- the snow has melted completely, leaving the area bare.         

He added that even on the taller mountains above Nyaluk Lek, which used to stay completely covered in snow, only a thin layer is visible this year. Comparing the past and present, he said the snow level has thinned significantly, and rising temperatures are accelerating the melting process.

Ujir Rawat, an engineer at Simkot Rural Municipality who has been working on climate change issues, said that the snow level has decreased mainly due to the temperature rise. He explained that there has been very little snowfall during winter in recent years and the existing snow was melting quickly due to rising temperatures.

According to Rawat, the snow level in the Nyaluk region has dropped by about 75 per cent compared to the past. In Tumlimg, a place 4,000 metres above sea level, people are now seen walking around in T-shirts during the daytime -- something that was unthinkable before. 

The mountains in Nyaluk, which rise up to 6,500 metres, now show only about a foot of snow, which he says is a clear sign of changing weather patterns. With snow melting early and mountains appearing bare, water levels in glacial lakes and rivers have also dropped significantly, he added.