HKH Snow Update: Record Decline in Snow Stability in 2026 Heightens Concerns Over Water Crisis

HKH Snow Update: Record Decline in Snow Stability in 2026 Heightens Concerns Over Water Crisis

Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) Snow Update 2026 by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development reports a record decline in snow persistence, raising concerns over a regional water crisis.

About the Report

¨     The HKH Snow Update 2026 is an annual assessment of seasonal snow anomalies across the Hindu Kush Himalaya region during the winter months (November–March).

¨     It defines snow persistence as the fraction of time snow remains on the ground after snowfall, a key indicator of mountain water reserves.

¨    The report analyses snow conditions across 12 major river basins, which collectively support nearly two billion people through water supply, agriculture, and hydropower.

¨     Snowmelt contributes about 23–25% of annual river runoff, making seasonal snow crucial for early summer water availability, especially in western basins.

Key Findings of the Report

¨   Record Decline in Snow Persistence:Snow persistence in the 2025–26 winter was 27.8% below the long-term average, the lowest in over two decades. This surpasses the previous record deficit of 23.6% (2024–25). It marks the fourth consecutive year of below-normal snow persistence and reflects a recurring long-term trend (14 such winters since 2003).

¨     Basin-wise Variations: Snow persistence was below normal in 10 out of 12 river basins.Above-average snow persistence was recorded only in the Ganga Basin (+16.3%) and the Irrawaddy Basin (+21%). The sharpest declines were observed in the Mekong Basin (–59.5%), the Tibetan Plateau (–47.4%), and the Salween Basin (–41.8%).

¨     High Dependence on Snowmelt:Snowmelt contributes significantly to river flow, particularly in western basins such as the Amu Darya (~74.4%), Helmand (~77.5%), Indus (~39.7%), and Tarim (~23.9%). The declining snow levels therefore pose a serious threat to water availability in these regions.

¨     Implications for Water Security: Reduced snow persistence leads to lower early summer river runoff, increased groundwater extraction, and a higher risk of droughts. These impacts extend downstream, affecting agriculture, hydropower generation, and livelihoods.

¨  Climate Change Link and Cryosphere Stress:HKH glaciers are melting twice as fast since 2000, indicating accelerating cryospheric loss. The region, known as the “Water Tower of Asia”, holds over 60,000 glaciers and ~6,000 cubic km of ice.