Editorial photo #13697128 Human Interest

Himalayan Snow Cover Hits 23-Year Low - Snow Persistence

Temporary reservoirs form atop the snow-capped Himalayan mountains from melting snow on the way to Nathu La Pass in Phadamchen, Sikkim, India, on April 17, 2026. The Himalayas, known as Asia's ''Water Tower,'' are experiencing rapid snow melt, leading to a decrease in elevation over the past 23 years. This situation contributes to a water crisis potentially affecting two billion people in the region. A report by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development highlights that between November 2025 and March 2026, the rate of ''snow persistence'' was 27.8 percent below the historical average. The twelve major river basins in the Hindu Kush-Himalaya region depend on meltwater from the Himalayas, marking the fourth consecutive year of below-normal snow accumulation. (Photo by Soumyabrata Roy/NurPhoto)