Srinagar, March 27 -- Significantly, permafrost covers nearly 65% of J&K and Ladakh. Over a quarter of this is continuously frozen, providing stability to glaciers, river systems, and even entire settlements. But rising temperatures are disrupting this delicate equilibrium. This primarily doesn't bode well for the water resources. Glaciers and permafrost act as natural reservoirs. They gradually release water to sustain water bodies through dry months. But should they thaw earlier, as is happening due to rising temperatures, this will make river flows erratic, which, in turn, will affect the agriculture, power and water supply.

There are larger environmental consequences for the region. Permafrost stores carbon and methane, and once it m...