Record Low Snow in Hindu Kush Himalaya Raises Fear of Water Shortage

Snow persistence dropped 17 per cent below normal in the Ganga basin. Leading experts from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), a Nepal-based intergovernmental organisation, have urged water management officials to initiate drought management strategies and preemptive emergency water supply measures. The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region heavily depends on the cryosphere, including snow, permafrost, and ice from glaciers, lakes, and rivers.

Snowmelt accounts for around 23 percent of the total water flow of 12 major river basins originating in the HKH. However, its contribution varies from river to river, representing 74 percent of the Amu Darya’s flow, 77 percent of the Helmand’s flow, and 40 percent of the Indus’ flow. Monitoring shows snow levels are almost a fifth below normal across the region this year, with the most dramatic declines in the west, where its contribution to water supply is the highest.

Snow persistence dropped 17 percent below normal in the Ganga basin and 14.6 percent below normal in the Brahmaputra basin, said the Snow Update Report – 2024, released on Monday. The Indus basin has fallen to 23.3 percent below normal, the lowest level in 22 years. The Mekong basin had the smallest variation from normal, with snow persistence around 1 percent below normal.

“We have seen a pattern of decreasing amounts and persistence of snow across the Hindu Kush Himalaya, with 13 of the past 22 years registering lower-than-normal seasonal snow persistence,” said ICIMOD cryosphere specialist Sher Muhammad, who is also the author of the report. Lower snow accumulation and fluctuating snow levels pose a serious increased risk of water shortages. Miriam Jackson, ICIMOD’s senior cryosphere specialist, said agencies must take proactive steps to address possible drought situations, especially in early summer.

“Plans must be updated to accommodate water stress, and communities need to be notified of the risks.” The experts emphasized that governments and people in the region need urgent support to adapt to changes in snow patterns. They also highlighted the need for promoting rainwater harvesting and establishing local water committees to mitigate the immediate impacts of below-normal snowfall on the water supply in the HKH region.

Collaboration among countries sharing trans-boundary rivers is seen as crucial to addressing water shortages in South Asia, which relies on snowmelt. In conclusion, the experts stressed the importance of urgent support to adapt to changes in snow patterns and the need for long-term resilience to climate change. They also emphasized the necessity for G20 countries to cut emissions faster than ever before to prevent disastrous consequences for major population centers and industries reliant on snowmelt in the mountains.