High above the plains of South Asia, the Himalayas, long revered as the “abode of snow” and the source of some of the world’s greatest rivers, are undergoing a profound transformation. Satellite imagery and ground-based observations show vast stretches of the Himalayan range lying bare and rocky during winter, a season that once reliably blanketed these mountains in snow. Scientists say this change is not a temporary fluctuation but a clear signal of systemic climate-driven disruption, with far-reaching consequences for ecosystems, water security and human livelihoods across Asia.
For thousands of years, the Himalayan cryosphere the interconnected system of snow, glaciers and ice has functioned as a vast natural reservoir. Winter snowfall accumulated at high elevations would melt gradually through spring and summer, sustaining rivers during dry periods when rainfall was scarce. Glaciers provided an additional long-term buffer, ensuring base flows even in drought years. Today, this finely balanced system is rapidly unravelling.
Snow droughts become the new normal
According to the 2025 Snow Update Report released by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, snow persistence across the Hindu Kush-Himalaya has fallen to its lowest level in 23 years. Snow remained on the ground for significantly shorter periods, registering a 23.6 per cent decline from the long-term average. Four of the last five winters have recorded below-normal snow cover, signalling a sustained downward trend rather than an isolated anomaly.
Scientists now describe this phenomenon as “snow droughts” extended periods of abnormally low snowfall. These droughts are particularly evident at mid-elevations between 3,000 and 6,000 metres, where many ridges and slopes that should be snow-covered in winter now remain exposed. In parts of the central and western Himalayas, snowfall during recent winters has fallen well below the 1980–2020 average.
Meteorologists attribute this decline to rising temperatures, shifting precipitation patterns and weakening western disturbances Mediterranean-origin weather systems that traditionally deliver winter snow to the region. These systems are becoming increasingly erratic and moisture-starved. When snowfall does occur, warmer conditions cause rapid melting, further reducing snow persistence.
Climate change and scientific consensus
The observed changes align closely with assessments by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. IPCC reports on global warming and cryosphere dynamics document consistent declines in snow cover and glacier mass across high mountain regions, including the Himalayas. Rising temperatures and altered atmospheric circulation patterns are identified as the primary drivers, with projections indicating shorter, more variable snow seasons throughout the 21st century.
The Himalayan region, often referred to as the “Third Pole” because of its vast ice reserves, is warming faster than many other parts of the world. The IPCC’s Special Report on the Ocean and Cryosphere in a Changing Climate warns that shrinking snow cover, glacier retreat and thawing permafrost will have profound implications for water availability, natural hazards and ecosystem stability.
A dual crisis for water security
The crisis extends beyond snow loss. Himalayan glaciers massive, slow-moving rivers of ice are retreating and thinning at accelerating rates. Scientific assessments consistently show that glaciers across the Hindu Kush-Himalaya are losing mass faster than they can replenish it. Even under scenarios where global warming is limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius, a substantial share of Himalayan glacier ice is projected to disappear by the end of the century.
Initially, increased glacier melt may raise river flows, but this effect is temporary. As ice reserves diminish, dry-season flows are expected to decline sharply. Combined with reduced snowfall, this creates a dual threat to regional hydrology. Snow provides seasonal buffering, while glaciers offer long-term stability. The loss of both undermines the reliability of water supplies for millions.
Cascading impacts downstream
The Himalayan cryosphere feeds 12 major Asian river systems, including the Indus, Ganga, Brahmaputra, Mekong and Salween. Snowmelt alone contributes roughly one-quarter of annual runoff in these basins, while glaciers sustain flows during dry months. These rivers underpin drinking water systems, agriculture, hydropower generation and food security for nearly two billion people.
As snowpack declines, meltwater is released earlier in the year, leading to higher spring flows followed by reduced water availability later in summer. This shift strains reservoirs, groundwater systems and irrigation infrastructure, while increasing dependence on increasingly erratic monsoon rainfall.
Reduced snow and ice cover also amplify environmental risks. Drier conditions heighten the likelihood of forest fires, while destabilised mountain slopes increase the risk of landslides, debris flows and glacial lake outburst floods. These hazards threaten settlements, roads and hydropower infrastructure throughout the Himalayan region.
Unequal burdens and growing risks
The impacts of cryosphere loss are unevenly distributed. Mountain communities face immediate threats to water access, agriculture and traditional livelihoods. Downstream, densely populated plains and delta regions confront growing water stress, with implications for food production and economic stability.
Wealthier countries and regions may be better equipped to invest in storage, forecasting and adaptation infrastructure. Poorer nations and marginalised communities face greater exposure, deepening existing inequalities and heightening the potential for social and geopolitical tensions across shared river basins.
The limits of local solutions
Experts warn that the scale and systemic nature of Himalayan cryosphere loss make local or national responses insufficient. Rapid global reductions in greenhouse gas emissions remain the most critical intervention. Every fraction of avoided warming helps slow snow loss and glacier retreat, preserving the region’s natural water buffering capacity.
At the same time, adaptation must be science-led and cooperative. Investments in cryospheric monitoring, climate modelling, early-warning systems and data-sharing are essential. Transboundary cooperation across Himalayan river basins is equally critical to prevent conflict and ensure equitable water management in a rapidly changing landscape.
As the Himalayas shed their snow and ice, the transformation unfolding high above South Asia is reshaping the future of water security across an entire continent a reminder that the fate of distant mountains is inseparably tied to the lives of billions downstream.