Abstract :
During the past century, significant temperature changes have taken place and are likely to escalate
coupled with human-induced forcings. This projected warming may induce drastic changes in the
thermal profile of the region like northwestern India where an increase in mean annual temperature may
be causative for monsoon vagaries. This research paper examined the long-term trends in select indices
of temperature extremes in parts of north-western India. The results reveal striking facts about the
direction and magnitude of change. The cooling of Punjab Plains and warming of mountainous areas of
Himachal Pradesh is exhibited by indicators of warm spell duration indicator (WSDI) and cold spell
duration indicator (CSDI). These warming rates are most conspicuous in the Middle and the Greater
Himalayan regions. An increase in the frequency of warm days (TX90p) and warm nights (TN90p),
especially in temperate and cold semi-arid/arid regions of Himachal Pradesh raises serious concerns
about imminent water stress, vulnerability and disruption of hydrological balance upon which rests the
economic development of the region.
Keyword :
Temperature Extremes Water Stress Vulnerability Hydrological Balance Cold Spell Duration Indiicator Warm Spell Duration Indiator