icimod Archives - Disasters News

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...

Snow persistence, the fraction of time snow remains on the ground, is significantly lower than normal in the Hindu Kush Himalaya this year, with serious implications for downstream communities’ water security. Leading experts from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), which publishes the annual Snow Update Report, warn water management officials to initiate drought management strategies and pre-emptive emergency water supply measures. The report reveals that snowmelt, a critical source of water, contributes approximately 23% of the total water flow to 12 major river basins originating in the HKH region. However, its contribution varies significantly among rivers: the Amu Darya receives 74% of its flow from snowmelt, the Helmand 77%, and the Indus 40%. ...

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Himalayan Snowfall Crisis Major River Basins Record Sharpest Decline in Snow Persistence

Water Shortages Feared as Hindu Kush Himalaya Records Second-Lowest Snow Persistence on Record, Warns ICIMOD Report