Snow Cover Dynamics
and its Spatio-Temporal Distribution in the Central Higher Himalaya of India
Reza Masoom and Joshi Ramesh Chandra
Disaster Advances; Vol. 14(9); 15-22;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/149da1522; (2021)
Abstract
Retreating glaciers, changing timber line and decreasing accumulation of snow in
the Himalaya are considered the indicators of climate change. In this study, an
attempt is made to observe the snow cover change in the higher reaches of the Central
Himalayas. Investigation of climate change through snow cover is very important
to understand the impact and adaptation in an area. Landsat thematic and multi spectral
optical data with a spatial resolution of 60m and 30m are considered for the estimation
and extraction of snow cover. Total 3,369 Km2 snow cover area is lost since 1972
out of total geographical area i.e. 17,227 Km2.
The accumulation of snow during winter is lower than the melting rate during summer.
The current study identified the decrease of 19.6 % snow cover in 47 years since
1972 to 2019. Composite satellite imageries of September to December show that the
major part of the study area covered with snow lies above 3600m. Overall observation
indicates that in 47 years, permanent snow cover is decreasing in Central Himalayas.
