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 Himalayas could evolve into a major environmental and humanitarian crisis for Asia in the coming years. The Himalayas contain thousands of glaciers that are essential as massive natural reservoirs of freshwater. Meltwater from these glaciers feeds several of Asia’s major river systems, including the Ganges, Indus, Brahmaputra, and Yangtze, playing a crucial role in meeting the needs of agriculture, hydropower, and drinking water. More than two billion people depend on the water from Himalayan glaciers. However, the continuous melting of snow and shrinking of glaciers could ultimately result in the depletion of these natural reservoirs reserved for use during dry seasons.
The rapid shrinking of Himalayan glaciers is not merely an environmental issue; it is emerging as a major challenge linked to the future water, food, and energy security of Asia. Environmentalists have warned that due to rising global temperatures and their proximity to the Himalayan region, the rapid melting of glaciers in northern areas (Gilgit-Baltistan, Chitral, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) has become a severe threat to the country. As a result, Pakistan could face a major flood storm or natural disaster at any time, similar to Nepal. According to the Global Climate Risk Index, Pakistan is among the top 10 countries in the world most affected by climate change. Pakistan’s upper northern regions are home to more than 7,000 glaciers, which are rapidly melting due to increasing heat and turning into sudden floods. Approximately 70% of the total water flowing in Pakistan’s rivers is derived from glacial melt, but their abnormal and untimely melting could lead to a major catastrophe. Pakistan has already witnessed the worst floods in its history in 2010 and 2022. If concrete steps are not taken to curb climate change, Pakistan could face a massive environmental and climatic crisis in the future.
According to a Reuters report, the Himalayan glaciers are melting so rapidly that the region is heading toward a dangerous tipping point. This alarming situation came to light in August when a Himalayan glacier on the border of Nepal and Tibet caused large-scale destruction. This disaster was classified as cryospheric—a collective term used for the frozen parts of the Earth, including glaciers and permafrost.
Nepal is situated in the rapidly warming Himalayan region, which houses thousands of glaciers. According to Ella Gilbert, an expert from the British Antarctic Survey, glaciers can become unstable as they shrink, posing a risk of sudden collapse. Wouter Buytaert, a hydrology expert at Imperial College London, states that the rise in global temperatures is increasing the chances of glaciers breaking and shrinking. The Nepal tragedy is a horrific glimpse of this. This is not just Nepal’s tragedy; it is a warning for all countries in this Himalayan region, including Pakistan. There are no two opinions that it has become inevitable for all of us to find a path for survival in these changing geographical conditions.
This vast mountain range, stretching from Afghanistan to Myanmar, consists of approximately 40,000 glaciers. On the ground, only 21 of these glaciers are being regularly monitored. This situation is a daunting challenge for scientists because while monitoring glacial lakes is possible through technology, detecting the internal erosion of ‘bedrocks’ at high altitudes is impossible, making it impossible to predict such disasters.
According to one report, the Himalayan region contributes more than 20% to India’s overall economy, and the livelihoods of millions of people are tied to it. Experts have warned that if the rate of glacial melting continues at this pace, the decrease in water availability after “peak water” could have serious impacts on agriculture, energy, drinking water, and the employment of millions. A decade ago, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) claimed that due to rising global temperatures, it is possible that Himalayan glaciers could disappear entirely by 2035.
If considered seriously, it becomes evident that glaciers have been most affected in those areas of the Himalayan range where human intervention has been high. It is noteworthy that since 1953, more than 3,000 climbers have summited Mount Everest. The number of people reaching other high mountain ranges is in the thousands. Due to unnecessary human movement, glaciers are receding.
Therefore, Pakistan must view water as a limited and precious resource and increase investment in effective management strategies. This should include better facilities for water storage, efficient irrigation systems for agriculture, and emergency planning to deal with droughts. Neighboring countries located in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region must cooperate with one another to strengthen and activate early warning systems and ensure the exchange of information regarding snow conditions and water flow.
Unfortunately, if the current trends of negligence and shortcomings continue, this region, home to nearly two billion people, could face a water crisis that may be impossible to recover from. The snow reserves on the Himalayas may continue to vanish rapidly. Therefore, the time available for decisive action must not be wasted.
—The writer is Chairman, Tehrik Jawanan Pakistan.
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