Himalayan snow at 23-year low, threatening 2 billion people

A new scientific report has revealed that the Himalayan region is experiencing its lowest snowfall in 23 years, raising serious concerns for nearly 2 billion people who rely on Himalayan meltwater for drinking, farming, and energy.

Alarming Decline in Snowpack

• Snow levels across the Hindu Kush Himalayas have dropped by 30% since 2001.
  

• April 2024 recorded the lowest snowpack in over two decades.
  

• The Western Himalayas, including areas of Pakistan and India, have suffered the most dramatic losses.
  

Why This Matters

The Himalayan mountain range, known as the “Third Pole”, holds the largest concentration of ice outside the Arctic and Antarctic. Its glaciers feed 10 major river systems, including the Indus, Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Mekong. Reduced snowpack leads to:

• Early snowmelt and shorter winters
  

• Reduced river flows during the hot summer months
  

• Lower water availability for agriculture, drinking, and hydropower
  

Countries at Highest Risk

• Pakistan: Already facing water scarcity; relies heavily on the Indus River
  

• India: Northern states like Punjab and Haryana depend on glacier-fed rivers for farming
  

• Nepal and Bhutan: Hydropower projects vulnerable to reduced water flow
  

• Bangladesh: Downstream communities risk water scarcity and rising salinity
  

The Role of Climate Change

Experts identify global warming as the main culprit:

• Shorter and delayed winters
  

• Less snow accumulation and more rainfall at high altitudes
  

• Accelerated glacier melt
  

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) warns that the Himalayas are warming faster than the global average. If trends continue, two-thirds of the region’s glaciers may vanish by 2100.

Potential Impacts

• Reduced river flow → Lower crop yields → Food insecurity
  

• Lower hydropower generation → Power shortages
  

• Glacial lake formation → Risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)
  

• Displacement → Increased rural-to-urban migration
  

“The 2024 data is the most alarming we’ve seen. This isn’t a future problem—it’s happening now.”
 Dr. Tashi Norbu, Climate Scientist, ICIMOD

“South Asia needs to treat this as a water emergency. Long-term planning is no longer optional.”
 Dr. Meher Ali, Hydrology Expert, Lahore University of Management Sciences

Call for Global Action

Experts urge international cooperation to address this crisis:

• Climate finance for adaptation
  

• Technology transfer for efficient water management
  

• International treaties to protect fragile mountain ecosystems
  

Conclusion

The record-low Himalayan snow levels are a wake-up call for South Asia and the world. With 2 billion lives at stake, urgent, coordinated action is essential to mitigate disaster, ensure sustainable water access, and protect livelihoods for future generations.