Key Findings of the Report:
- Snow is staying on the ground for less time, at a 20-year low of 23.6%.
- Rivers like the Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra will have less water in early summer.
- This affects about 2 billion people who depend on these rivers.
- Ganga Basin snow was 24.1% below normal – the lowest in 23 years.
- Indus Basin snow was 24.5% below normal.
- Snowmelt is very important for:
- Farming
- Hydropower
- Drinking water
- Snow has been below normal for 3 years in a row.
- Bigger declines are seen in:
- Mekong: -51.9%
- Salween: -48.3%
- Tibetan Plateau: -29.1%
- Experts say:
- This is an alarming trend.
- Climate change and carbon emissions are making it worse.
- Urgent need for:
- Better water policies
- Regional cooperation
- Climate action
Why in News?
- The Ganga, Indus, and Brahmaputra river basins face reduced water flow in early summer due to a sharp decline in snow persistence, warns a new Report by Kathmandu based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

