Himalayan Snowfall Crisis Major River Basins Record Sharpest Decline in Snow Persistence
In a concerning climate signal all three major river basins of the Indian Subcontinent the Ganga Indus and Brahmaputra are witnessing their steepest declines in snow persistence, a new report warns. The findings, released by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) on April 21, 2025, reveal that the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region is experiencing its third consecutive below-normal snow year.
Snow persistence defined as the duration snow remains on the ground after snowfall is a key indicator for seasonal water availability. A drop in this metric threatens water security for millions, as snowmelt feeds major rivers across South Asia.
The Ganga basin, which saw its highest snow persistence of +30.2% in 2015, has plummeted to a 23-year low of -24.1% in 2025...