Question

Answer the following question briefly.
What are the climatic conditions of the Ladakh desert?

Answer 1

Hint:
Ladakh is bordered to the east by the Chinese Autonomous Region of Tibet, to the south by the Indian State of Himachal Pradesh, and to the west by the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. To the northwest, it is bordered by the Pakistani Administrative Territory of Gilgit-Baltistan and to the far north by the southwest corner of the Chinese Autonomous Region of Xinjiang across the Karakoram Pass.

Complete step by step solution:
Ladakh occupies about 117,000 square km (45,000 square miles) and includes the Ladakh Range, which is the Karakoram Range's south-eastern extension, and the valley of the upper Indus River. Its natural characteristics primarily consist of high plains and deep valleys. In the east, the high plain predominates, eventually declining towards the west. The altitude ranges from approximately 3000m to 8000 m in Ladakh.

The climate is very cold and dry due to its high elevation. In addition, the air is so thin at this altitude that the sun's heat can be deeply felt. In the summers, the day temperatures are only above zero degrees and the temperatures at night are well below -30°C. In the winters, the cold freezes with temperatures staying mostly below -40°C. With dry winds blowing during the day and summers being hot and humid, the desert form of climate is characteristic of Leh Ladakh. Ladakh faces a cold desert climate, especially from October to March. The temperatures in Leh are high in the winters, falling below freezing point. Hence, Ladakh’s climate is cold and dry. Average annual precipitation is approximately 80 mm (3 inches); fine, dry, flaked snow is common and falls regularly.

Vegetation is restricted to valleys and sheltered spots, where tamarisk (genus Tamarix) shrubs, furze (also known as gorse), and other plants provide much-needed firewood for stunted growth. Wheat, barley, millet, buckwheat, peas, beans, and turnips are the principal products. Woollen cloth and other fabrics are the main items.

Note:
1. The largest and the second least populous union territory in India is Ladakh.
2. Over 45 million years ago, the mountain ranges in Ladakh were formed by the folding of the Indian Plate into the Eurasian Plate.