Glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalaya are melting at double rates, raising flood risks, worsening water scarcity, and threatening millions relying on Asia’s river systems for food and energy security.
Glaciers across the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region are melting at twice the rate since 2000, according to two reports released on World Glacier Day, March 21, by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
Stretching 3,500 km across eight countries including India, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan, China, Afghanistan, Myanmar and Bangladesh, the HKH region is a vital ecological zone. It supports over 240 million people directly and up to two billion people downstream, providing water, food and energy security.
The reports, “Changing Dynamics of Glaciers in the Hindu Kush Himalaya Region from 1990 to 2020” and “HKH Glacier Outlook 2026: Insights from 50 Years of Himalayan Glacier Monitoring,” reveal that since 1975, HKH glaciers have lost 27 metres of ice, 12% of their area and 9% of their ice reserves. Experts warn that this could have severe consequences for communities depending on glacier-fed rivers like the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra.
“HKH holds the largest volume of ice outside the poles, feeding at least 10 major river systems across Asia. The fact that ice loss rates have doubled this century should shock us into urgent action,” said Pema Gyamtsho, Director General of ICIMOD.
Smaller Glaciers at Highest Risk
Smaller glaciers, particularly those under 0.5 km², are shrinking the fastest, increasing the risk of local water shortages and disasters such as glacial lake outburst floods. “Three-quarters of the region’s glaciers fall into this vulnerable size class. We are not just losing ice; we are facing escalating risks,” said Sudan Bikash Maharajan, lead author of the glacier dynamics report.
Critical Data Gaps
The HKH Glacier Outlook 2026 report highlights a major data gap. Of 38 glaciers studied, only seven meet global monitoring standards. Large glacierised regions including the Karakoram, Sikkim, Zanskar and Bhutan remain largely unmonitored.
“Without adequate data, we may be underestimating the scale of glacier loss. Monitoring glaciers like Mera and Rikha Samba in Nepal and Chhota Shigri in India is crucial. They act as early warning indicators for the entire mountain system,” said Mohd. Farooq Aslam, co-author of the report.
Rivers and Communities at Risk
Glacier losses are uneven. The eastern Hengduan Shan mountains have lost up to 33% of glacier area in three decades, while the largest absolute losses are in the Indus, Ganges and Brahmaputra basins, home to over 74% of HKH glaciers. The larger glaciers above 10 km² hold nearly 40% of the region’s natural water reserves, making them critical for water, food and disaster security.
Experts say the coming decade is crucial for the HKH cryosphere, which includes all ice, snow and frozen ground. Immediate investment in glacier monitoring and climate adaptation is essential to prevent irreversible losses.
“Glacier melting is not a distant problem. It is a crisis unfolding in real time. Every summer brings new disasters and the stakes are rising for billions of people in Asia,” warned Gyamtsho.
Sohanur Rahman, Executive Coordinator of YouthNet Global, highlighted the human cost: “Communities in Bangladesh and across the HKH region are already feeling the impact. Floods, water scarcity and crop losses are becoming annual realities. Youth must be at the forefront of climate action, advocating for stronger adaptation measures and sustainable water management before it is too late.”
