What is the importance of Himalayas in Indian climate and Himalaya and coastal states of India will be affected by climate change?
Many rivers that serve as a great water source for the Indian subcontinent originate at the Himalayas. They are home to many medicinal plants. They prevent dry wind. It also acts as a barrier for the monsoon winds of the Indian Ocean from crossing over to Northern countries. The Himalayan region is already experiencing the effects of melting glaciers, which could lead to flooding and water shortages in the future. The coastal states of India are also vulnerable to sea level rise, which could cause flooding and erosion of coastlines.
The Himalayan and coastal states of India are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. The Himalayan region is already experiencing the effects of melting glaciers, which could lead to flooding and water shortages in the future. Rising sea level may degrade the rich cultivable land and freshwater resources, causing damage to coastal biodiversity and affecting food security. Damage to the nursery areas for fisheries may affect Indian economy, as India is one of the major exporters of fishery products. Sea level rise could erode and inundate coastal ecosystems and eliminate wetlands. Warmer and more acidic oceans are likely to disrupt coastal and marine ecosystems. Coastal development reduces the ability of natural systems to respond to climate changes. The Himalayas block the monsoon winds and confine them to the Indian subcontinent. Without monsoons, India would have been a desert. In India monsoon usually lasts from July to September. 90% of the rainfall in India is due to monsoon. Near the coast, the temperature hovers around 36 °C (97 °F), and the proximity of the sea increases the level of humidity. In southern India, the temperatures are higher on the east coast by a few degrees compared to the west coast. The Himalayas prevent the cold winds from Central Asia from entering the subcontinent. It is because of these mountains that this subcontinent experiences comparatively milder winters as compared to Central Asia.The Himalayas are the third largest deposit of ice and snow in the world, after Antarctica and the Arctic. There are approximately 15,000 glaciers located throughout the range. At 48 miles (72 km) in length, the Himalayan Siachen glacier is the largest glacier outside the poles. The Himalayas prevent the cold winds from Central Asia from entering the subcontinent. It is because of these mountains that this subcontinent experiences comparatively milder winters as compared to Central Asia. Mountains support a rich variety of flora and fauna. Mountains also affect the climate of an area. For example, the Himalayas cause rainfall in India by blocking the south-west monsoon winds. They also protect us from the cold winds of Central Asia in winter.
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