According to a recent report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), the Ganga Basin has experienced its lowest snow persistence in 23 years. From November 2024 to March 2025, snow persistence in the region was 17% below the historical average, marking the third consecutive year of below-normal snowfall in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region .

🌨️ Understanding Snow Persistence

Snow persistence refers to the duration that snow remains on the ground during the accumulation season. In the HKH region, snowmelt is a crucial water source, contributing approximately 23% of the total water flow in major river basins, including the Ganga .​

📉 Implications of Reduced Snow Persistence

The significant decrease in snow persistence poses serious concerns for water availability in the Ganga Basin, which supports over 600 million people. The reduced snowmelt could lead to lower river flows, impacting agriculture, drinking water supplies, and hydropower generation.​Study IQ Education+4

🔄 Regional Trends and Variations

The report highlights a regional trend of decreasing snow persistence:​

Indus Basin: 23.3% below normal, the lowest in 22 years.

Brahmaputra Basin: 14.6% below normal.

Helmand Basin: 31.8% below normal, surpassing the previous low of 42% in 2018.​

These variations underscore the complex dynamics of snow accumulation and melt across different basins.​

🚨 Call for Action

ICIMOD urges governments and communities in the HKH region to prepare for potential water shortages by implementing adaptive strategies, enhancing water management practices, and fostering regional cooperation to mitigate the impacts of reduced snowmelt

🖼️ Visual Representation

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Map depicting snow persistence anomalies in the Ganga Basin during the 2024–2025 season.​

This development serves as a critical reminder of the ongoing impacts of climate change on the region's water resources. Proactive measures are essential to ensure the sustainability of water supplies for millions of people dependent on the Ganga and other major river systems originating in the HKH region.​