What if it doesn’t snow?

Nestled amidst the awe-inspiring Himalayan peaks, the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) are popularly called the freshwater towers of south Asia and southeast Asia. The water originating from the snow and glaciers in the region feed 10 largest river systems of Asia. 

However, the region is currently experiencing an uncommon winter, characterized by a significant lack of snowfall. The customary snowy vistas that grace the Himalayas are noticeably absent this season, stirring concerns among farmers and posing challenges to how it will impact the region's water supply.

Why hasn’t it snowed?

It's warmer than usual, and that's messing up the usual snowfall patterns. Even if it snows more later, it might not be enough to fix the issue, says experts.

Why is it warmer?

Climate change, fueled by increasing greenhouse gas emissions and black carbon, has led to increasing atmospheric temperatures. This is affecting the weather patterns in the Himalayas.

Climate Trends of 2023

• Super hot year: The year 2023 was the hottest ever recorded globally. This messed up weather patterns and affected the Himalayas, too.

• Lesser snowfall: The warm weather weakened the usual snowfall pattern, which is and will further impact water availability.

Implications for Glaciers & River Hydrology

• Why glaciers matter: Snow helps glaciers, which are like ice mountains. Glaciers provide water to big rivers such as Ganga and Indus, but they need enough snow to feed rivers.

• Less water from snowmelt: Less snow means less water flowing from melting snow. This affects rivers and life downstream that depends on them.

Changing Monsoon Patterns

• Extended monsoons: Recent years have witnessed extended monsoons characterized by intense rainfall. In 2023, the eastern Himalayas experienced an increase in flooding and landslides.

• Shift in precipitation phases: Traditionally snowfall regions now experience more frequent rain, highlighting the evolving climate patterns.

Reduced Water Resources

• Runoff reduction: Insufficient snow accumulation means less runoff, posing a threat to water sources vital for agriculture and life in general. Reduced snow depth leads to diminished melted snow flowing into rivers and streams when temperatures rise.

• Mounting concerns for farmers: Farmers in Nepal's Humla District and Pakistan's Central Hunza express worry about agriculture, livestock, and potential water shortages.

In Conclusion

In the vast and breathtaking Himalayas, where snow has always been a friend to farmers and a source of life for rivers, things are changing. The world is getting warmer and it is making the snow patterns go haywire. 

The communities living here need to be ready for these changes. Using water wisely, finding new ways to grow food, and helping each other prepare for possible problems are important steps.