The glaciers of the Himalaya are melting at an alarming rate, with new scientific findings revealing that the region has lost ice equivalent to nearly a six-storey building over the past 50 years. The report, released by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, highlights growing concerns over climate change and its impact on one of the most critical freshwater sources in the world.
According to the study, glaciers across the Hindu Kush Himalayan region have lost approximately 24 metres of water-equivalent ice between 1973 and 2023. This sustained loss reflects rising global temperatures and signals a long-term shift in the region’s climate system.
Scientists warn that while certain areas like the Karakoram Range show relatively stable or complex glacier behaviour, the overall trend across the Himalayas is one of rapid and accelerating decline. The eastern Himalayan region, covering parts of Bhutan, eastern India, China, and Myanmar, is witnessing some of the most severe ice loss.
This glacier retreat is not just an environmental issue it has direct consequences for millions of people. The melting ice is altering river flow patterns, increasing the formation of unstable glacial lakes, and raising the risk of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods. These sudden floods can cause widespread destruction in downstream communities.
The report also points to a major gap in long-term monitoring. Despite the region having more than 60,000 glaciers, only 38 have been studied consistently over time. To improve this, the World Glacier Monitoring Service has introduced the concept of “benchmark glaciers” to track changes more effectively in data-scarce regions.
Some glaciers, including Hamta in the western Himalaya and Gangju La in the eastern Himalaya, have recorded annual ice loss rates between 1.5 and 1.67 metres of water-equivalent depth, among the highest observed in the region.
Often referred to as the “Third Pole,” the Himalayan region holds the largest reserves of ice outside the polar areas and feeds major rivers such as the Ganga and Brahmaputra. However, these river basins have already seen significant glacier shrinkage over recent decades, raising concerns about long-term water availability.
Data shows that the Himalayas have lost more than 17 per cent of their total glacial area between 1990 and 2020. The central Himalayan region, stretching from Himachal Pradesh to Nepal, has experienced the most severe decline, with losses exceeding 20 per cent.
Experts warn that if current warming trends continue, the consequences will extend far beyond the mountains. Reduced glacier mass will impact agriculture, drinking water supply, hydropower generation, and overall ecological balance across South Asia.
The findings underline an urgent reality: glacier loss in the Himalayas is accelerating, and without immediate global and regional action on climate change, the region’s water security and environmental stability face serious risks.