Srinagar, Mar 9 (NVI): An independent weather forecasting agency in Kashmir has cautioned that some parts of the Himalayan region could witness acidic rainfall or dark-coloured snowfall, commonly known as “black snow”, for a brief period amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.
According to Kashmir Weather Watch, large-scale fires triggered during conflicts—such as burning oil refineries, fuel depots or chemical facilities—can release massive amounts of soot, smoke and sulphur-based particles into the atmosphere.
The agency said that if these pollutants rise to higher atmospheric levels and are carried eastward by the jet stream, they could travel long distances towards the Himalayan belt.
“When such particles mix with cloud systems and precipitation, they may lead to polluted rainfall or dark-tinted snowfall in some high-altitude areas,” the agency said.
It added that the likelihood of such an event would depend on several factors, including the scale of fires, the amount of pollutants released and the exact path of the jet stream in the coming days.
Meanwhile, reports from Iran said the Iranian Red Crescent Society has advised residents to take precautions following explosions at oil facilities, warning that rainfall could turn highly toxic due to chemicals released into the atmosphere.
Such precipitation, the agency said, could potentially cause chemical burns to the skin and serious lung damage.
However, experts said the impact over the Himalayan region, if any, is likely to remain limited.(NVI)
