Himalayan snow at 23-year low, lives of 2 billion people at risk

Snowfall across the Hindu Kush-Himalayan mountain range has dropped to its lowest level in 23 years, raising alarms about water security for nearly two billion people who rely on snowmelt, scientists warned in a report released Monday.

The Hindu Kush-Himalayan region — spanning from Afghanistan to Myanmar — holds the world’s largest reserves of snow and ice outside the Arctic and Antarctica. It feeds 12 major rivers and serves as a crucial freshwater source for populations across South and Southeast Asia.

According to the Snow Update Report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), snow persistence — the length of time snow remains on the ground — is now 23.6% below normal. This marks the third consecutive year of sharp declines.

“This trend threatens water security for nearly two billion people,” the report stated, warning of reduced river flows, greater dependence on groundwater, and an elevated risk of drought.

Lead author Sher Muhammad told AFP that snowfall began unusually late in January and remained well below average throughout the winter.

The situation has already triggered drought warnings in several countries, putting upcoming harvests and water access at risk amid intensifying heatwaves.

ICIMOD — an intergovernmental body representing Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan — urged these nations to improve water management systems, bolster drought preparedness, and enhance regional cooperation and early warning mechanisms.