ICIMOD warns of severe drought risks, reduced river flows, and long-term water stress amid accelerating climate change

The Hindu Kush-Himalaya region, stretching from Afghanistan to Myanmar, is experiencing its lowest snow cover in 23 years, putting the water supply of nearly two billion people at risk, according to a new report released Monday by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

The Kathmandu-based research center, which includes scientists from across the region, attributed the record-low snow levels to reduced precipitation and a delayed snowfall season, which began months later than usual.

“Precipitation has been lower than usual, while the snow season, which usually begins in October and November, only began in late January,” said Sher Mohammad, lead author of the report, in an interview with AFP.

Rising Drought Risk and Water Stress

The report warns that the shrinking snowpack will have far-reaching consequences for water security, agriculture, and hydropower generation in a region already facing extreme heat, frequent droughts, and increasing climate unpredictability.

ICIMOD highlighted several critical risks:

• Decreased river flows
• Increased reliance on groundwater
• Greater likelihood of droughts
• Threats to food security and crop yields

Drought alerts have already been issued in parts of the region, intensifying concerns over the future of agriculture and access to clean water.

Rivers Under Threat: Mekong and Salween

The report places particular focus on the Mekong and Salween river basins, which are vital for communities in China and Myanmar. Reduced snowmelt in the Himalayas could further stress these crucial river systems, which support millions of people and ecosystems across Southeast Asia.

ICIMOD urged countries that depend on the region’s twelve major river basins to prioritize the development of sustainable water management strategies and enhance drought forecasting capabilities.

Climate Change Driving Irreversible Trends

ICIMOD Director Pema Gyamtsho emphasized that rising carbon emissions have already triggered "an irreversible pattern" of abnormal and inconsistent snowfall events in the region.

“These changes underscore the urgent need for proactive policy measures to ensure long-term sustainability,” Gyamtsho said.

Despite the urgency, many countries in the region remain among the world’s most vulnerable to climate change and lack modern infrastructure, irrigation systems, and resilient water supply technologies.

Asia: Ground Zero for Climate Disasters

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), Asia is the most disaster-prone continent in terms of climate-related events. The organization also reports rapid and alarming trends in:

• Rising regional temperatures
• Accelerating glacier melt
• Sea-level rise

These changes are expected to worsen in the coming years, making the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region one of the most fragile and climate-sensitive areas on the planet.