This year, there has been significantly less snow in the Hindu Kush Himalayas, which has raised concerns about water security for communities downstream.
Experts from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), based in Nepal, have advised water management officials to implement drought management strategies and proactive emergency water supply measures.
The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) relies heavily on the cryosphere - frozen water on the Earth's surface, such as snow, permafrost, and ice from glaciers, lakes, and rivers. This frozen water is a crucial source of freshwater for approximately 240 million people living in the HKH region and provides extensive benefits for around 1.65 billion people downstream.
The melting of snow contributes approximately 23 per cent of the total water flow in 12 major river basins originating in the HKH region. However, its influence varies among these rivers, accounting for 74 per cent of the Amu Darya's flow, 77 per cent of the Helmand's flow, and 40 per cent of the Indus' flow.
Recent monitoring indicates that snow levels are nearly 20 per cent lower than normal across the region this year, with the most significant decreases observed in the western areas, where its contribution to water supply is the greatest.
The report "Snow Update—2024," released on Monday, revealed that snow persistence has decreased by 17 per cent compared to normal levels in the Ganga basin and by 14.6 per cent in the Brahmaputra basin.
The Helmand River basin sees a significant reduction in snow cover, dropping to 31.8 per cent below normal levels. It had fallen by as much as 42 per cent in 2018, representing its previous record low.
Experts recommend promoting the collection of rainwater and establishing community water committees as potential measures to mitigate the immediate impact of decreased snowfall on the water supply in the HKH region.
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