THE worst flood disaster in Nepal’s history has sounded an alarm bell: the Himalayas, Asia’s largest water reservoir, is on the brink of collapse. The severe reduction in snow levels has left experts deeply concerned. According to the HKH Snow Update 2026 report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), snow persistence decreased by 28.8% between November 2025 and March 2026. Snow persistence is a measure of how long snow remains on the ground after falling, and it is considered a vital indicator of future water availability in mountainous regions.

Seasonal snow acts as a natural water reservoir, providing nearly one-fourth of the annual flow for the 12 river systems of the Hindu Kush Himalayas. Scientists have warned that glaciers are now melting twice as fast as they were before the year 2000, increasing the risk of long and dry summers. Potential impacts include severe water shortages, pressure on groundwater reserves, and a decline in agriculture and food production, as well as significant effects on the energy sector, particularly hydropower.

Due to climate change, melting glaciers are forming lakes that lead to Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFS), resulting in flash floods. Similarly, extreme rainfall and cloudburst events are part of this worsening weather pattern. Temperatures in the Himalayas are rising at double the average global rate. The accumulation of black carbon in snowy areas, increasing vehicular traffic in high-altitude mountain ecosystems, and the loss of greenery are further intensifying this heat. The centuries-old permafrost, which holds the fragile mountain soil and rocks together, is also melting rapidly.

According to experts, if this trend continues, the persistent loss of snow in the........

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