Hindu Kush Himalaya Snow Update

General Studies Paper-3

Context: As per the report released by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region has seen its third consecutive below-normal snow year in 2025.

Findings

• The report used a 23-year time series (from 2003 to 2025) of basin-scale snow persistence during the snow season between November and March.
• All three major river basins — Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra — are experiencing significant declines in snow persistence.
• Snow persistence across the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) was at a two-decade low of 23.6%.
• Snow persistence in the Ganga basin – 24.1 per cent below normal – was the lowest in 23 years.
• The snow persistence in the Indus basin declined to 24.5 per cent below normal, from a high of 19.5 per cent above normal in 2020.
• The report recorded a bigger decline across the Mekong (51.9 per cent), Salween (48.3 per cent), and Tibetan Plateau (29.1 per cent) river basins in South East Asia.
• Continued deficit of seasonal meltwater means lesser river runoffs and early-summer water stress, especially for downstream communities.
• Recommendations:
  • improved water management,
  • stronger drought preparedness,
  • better early warning systems,
  • and greater regional cooperation.
• Long-term resilience will depend on adopting science-led, forward-looking policies, and investing in seasonal water storage, efficient use of meltwater, and integrated water management strategies.

Snow Persistence

• Snow persistence is the fraction of time snow is on the ground. When this snow melts, it provides water to people and ecosystems.
• In the river basins of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), snowmelt is the biggest source of water in the streams.
• Overall, it contributes 23% of the runoff to the region’s 12 major river basins every year.

Hindu Kush Himalaya

• The HKH mountains extend around 3,500 km over eight countries — Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Pakistan.
• These mountains are also called the “water towers of Asia” because they are the origins of 10 crucial river systems on the continent — Amu Darya, Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Irrawaddy, Salween, Mekong, Yangtse, Yellow river, and Tarim.
• These river basins provide water to almost one-fourth of the world’s population and are a significant freshwater source for people in the HKH region.

Way Ahead

• In the long term reforestation with native tree species can help the ground retain more snow.
• Better weather forecasting and early warning systems can also help local communities prepare for impending water stress.
• Improving water infrastructure and developing policies for protecting areas receiving snowfall are important for long-term change.
• Communities’ involvement in local, national level decision-making and promoting regional cooperation are vital for comprehensive solutions for the sustainability of snow.