HKH snow update 2026

The HKH Snow Update 2026 highlights a worrying decline in seasonal snow across the Hindu Kush Himalaya, with snow persistence dropping to 27.8% below normal—the lowest in over two decades and the fourth consecutive year of decline. Since snowmelt supplies about a quarter of the region’s river water—and even more in western basins—this reduction signals potential water shortages in the coming spring and summer, affecting agriculture, hydropower, and livelihoods for nearly two billion people. Most river basins are experiencing below-normal snow levels, increasing the risk of drought, groundwater stress, and reduced river flows. The report stresses the urgent need for better water management, early warning systems, and coordinated regional action to prepare for and mitigate the growing water crisis.