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

In a startling development, a new scientific report reveals that the Himalayan region has experienced its lowest snowfall in 23 years. The snowpack levels, which feed major rivers across Asia, have dropped drastically, raising red flags for nearly 2 billion people who depend on Himalayan meltwater for their daily water needs, agriculture, and energy.

• Himalayan snow levels are at their lowest in 23 years

• Over 2 billion people are at risk across South and Southeast Asia

• Potential water crises are looming for Pakistan, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh

• Climate change and global warming are identified as the main causes

• Experts call for urgent action on regional water resource management

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

According to data compiled from satellite imagery and field studies between 2001 and 2024, the following findings have shocked climate scientists:

• Snow cover across the Hindu Kush Himalayas has decreased by 30%

• April 2024 snow levels were the lowest since 2001

• The most dramatic snow losses were recorded in the Western Himalayas, including areas of Pakistan and India

• Early snowmelt and less snowfall in winter are leading to reduced water availability in summer, the time when it’s needed most for agriculture

Reduced snowfall means less glacier mass, leading to shorter and less reliable river flows during the hot, dry months.

Countries most at risk:

• Pakistan: Already facing water scarcity, it relies heavily on the Indus River meltwater

• India: Large parts of North India, including Punjab and Haryana, depend on glacier-fed rivers for farming

• Nepal and Bhutan: Hydropower projects are vulnerable due to reduced flow

• Bangladesh: At the tail end of rivers, it will suffer from both water scarcity and rising salinity

Experts point to global warming as the main culprit. Rising temperatures have led to:

• Delayed and shorter winters

• Less snow accumulation

• Increased rain instead of snow at high altitudes

• Accelerated glacier melt

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

• Reduced River Flow → Less irrigation water → Lower crop yields

• Lower Hydropower Generation → Power shortages

• Melting Glaciers → Formation of glacial lakes → Risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs)

• Displacement → Increased migration from rural areas

• Food Insecurity → Rise in prices and poverty

“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 at 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

Global stakeholders must support South Asia in:

• Climate finance for adaptation

• Technology transfer for water efficiency

• International treaties to protect fragile mountain ecosystems

The record-low Himalayan snow levels are a climate wake-up call not just for South Asia, but for the entire world. With 2 billion lives depending on this vital water source, it’s clear that urgent, coordinated action is needed to mitigate disaster and ensure sustainable water access for future generations.