Snowfall in Asia’s Hindu Kush-Himalayan mountain range has hit its lowest point in 23 years, posing a serious threat to nearly two billion people who rely on snowmelt for their water supply, scientists warned in a report released yesterday.
Stretching from Afghanistan to Myanmar, the Hindu Kush-Himalayan range contains the largest ice and snow reserves outside the Arctic and Antarctica, serving as a crucial source of fresh water for about two billion people.
According to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), researchers have observed a significant drop in seasonal snow in the region, with snow persistence—how long snow remains on the ground—23.6 percent below the normal levels, the lowest in 23 years.
“This trend, now in its third consecutive year, threatens water security for nearly two billion people,” the Snow Update Report said.
ICIMOD, an intergovernmental organization comprising Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan, highlighted the growing concern. The report also raised alarms about potential declines in river flows, increased reliance on groundwater, and higher risks of drought. Sher Muhammad, the lead author of the ICIMOD report, shared with AFP that “this year, snowfall began late in January and remained low throughout the winter season on average.”
Several countries in the region have already issued drought warnings, with upcoming harvests and water access at risk for populations already facing longer, hotter, and more frequent heatwaves.
The report urged nations dependent on the region’s 12 major river basins to enhance “water management, drought preparedness, early warning systems, and regional cooperation.”
