Permafrost Thaw in Kashmir: Emerging Risks

Context:

This analysis details a study revealing the environmental threats posed by thawing permafrost in the Kashmir Himalaya, based on satellite data from 2002-2023. The findings highlight impacts on infrastructure, ecosystems, and water resources, offering critical insights into climate change effects in India’s mountainous regions as of March 25, 2025.

Crisp Information in Points:

1. Study Scope: Researchers analyzed 1,176 satellite images from NASA’s MODIS sensor (2002-2023) to assess permafrost degradation across 222,236 sq. km in Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
2. Permafrost Defined: Soil or rock frozen for at least two years, found at high altitudes (above 4,000 meters) in the Kashmir Himalaya, acting as a natural stabilizer.
3. Thawing Trend: Rising temperatures are melting permafrost, destabilizing slopes and increasing risks of landslides and rock-ice avalanches, as seen in the 2021 Chamoli disaster.
4. Infrastructure Risks: Thaw threatens 193 km of roads, 2,415 households, and eight hydropower projects, especially along strategic permafrost-zone routes.
5. Glacial Lakes Impact: Of 332 proglacial lakes in J&K, 65 face glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) risks, worsened by permafrost degradation and a 33% increase in lake coverage (2011-2024).
6. Water Resources: Permafrost thaw alters river flows from glaciers (e.g., Thajiwas Glacier), affecting irrigation, hydropower, and drinking water availability.
7. Monitoring Gaps: Current reliance on satellite data lacks ground validation; experts recommend data loggers for precise temperature tracking and risk assessment.
8. Climate Link: Accelerated permafrost melting reflects broader Himalayan climate change, necessitating urgent adaptation strategies for ecological and human systems.

Key Terms:

• Permafrost: Soil or rock frozen for two or more years, common in high-altitude regions.
• MODIS: NASA’s satellite sensor providing land surface temperature data.
• Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF): Sudden release of water from glacial lakes due to dam failure.
• Proglacial Lakes: Lakes formed by melting glacier water in landscape depressions.
• Rock-Ice Avalanche: Rapid downslope movement of rock and ice, often triggered by permafrost thaw.
• Climate Change: Long-term shifts in temperature and weather patterns, driving permafrost melt.
• Data Loggers: Devices for on-site monitoring of environmental conditions like temperature.

Link To The Original Article – https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/permafrost-degradation-kashmir-new-risks-satellite-data/article69352862.ece