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Hindu Kush Snow Deficit Raises Water Security Fears For 2 Billion People
A report by ICIMOD shows seasonal snow cover in the Hindu Kush Himalaya has dropped to its lowest level in more than two decades. Snow persistence this winter was 27.8% below normal, marking the fourth consecutive year of below-average snow, threatening water supplies for billions downstream.
Why It Matters
Less snow increases the risk of drought and water scarcity for agriculture, power, and drinking water across Asia, underscoring the need for regional planning and cross-border cooperation.
Timeline
1 Event
ICIMOD reports HKH snow cover at 24-year low; winter snow persistence 27.8% below normal
April 27, 2026
A fresh ICIMOD report from Kathmandu shows seasonal snow cover in the Hindu Kush Himalaya has hit its lowest level in more than 20 years. Snow persisted 27.8% below normal this winter, the lowest in 24 years of records, and this marks the fourth year in a row with below-average snow. Ten of twelve major river basins, including the Indus, Amu Darya, Helmand, and Tarim, recorded below-normal snow persistence, while the Ganges and Irrawaddy basins bucked the trend. Snowmelt previously contributed about 23% of river water on average, with western basins seeing 70–80% of water from snowmelt; for the Indus, snowmelt accounts for roughly 40% of the river’s flow.