- The Ganga River basin, India’s largest, reached a record low in snow persistence in 2024, according to the Hindu Kush Himalaya snow update by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
- The Brahmaputra and Indus basins also experienced significant declines, threatening water supply for millions.
- Snow persistence refers to the fraction of time snow remains on the ground, providing essential water to people and ecosystems through snowmelt.
- In the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region, snowmelt is a major water source, contributing 23% of the annual runoff to 12 major river basins.
- The 2024 HKH snow update analysed data from 2003 to 2024, noting significant fluctuations in snow persistence from November to April.
| Basin | Snow Persistence Deviation from Normal (%) |
| Ganga River Basin | 17% below the historical average |
| Brahmaputra Basin | 14.6% below normal |
| Indus Basin | 23.3% below normal |
| Amu Darya Basin | 28.2% below normal |
| Helmand River Basin | 32% below normal |
- The primary reason for the lower snow persistence in 2024 was weak western disturbances, exacerbated by climate change and global warming.
Dig Deeper: Read about the critical ecosystem role of Snow leopards in the Hindu Kush Mountains region.
