The Himalayan glaciers are vanishing. Not in slow, gradual increments but in a rush that threatens not only these majestic ice fields but the lives of billions of people. Studies suggest that the region will lose one-third of its glacial ice by the end of the century, even in the 1.5 degrees Celsius global warming threshold. The pessimistic business-as-usual scenarios could also cause the disappearance of two-thirds of the glacier’s ice. Some areas, like the southern slope of the Mt Everest region, could lose higher ice volume of up to 90 percent. Countries like Nepal and Bhutan have already lost nearly one-fourth of their glacier area between 1980 and 2010.

Often called the ‘Third Pole’, the Himalayan region spans from western Afghanistan to eastern Myanmar and holds the largest ice reserves outside the Arctic and Antarctic.

The 10 river systems originating from the Himalayan region are inhabited by 1.9 billion people. What happens in the Himalayas does not stay in the mountains; it echoes across the region and beyond. Millions depend on the Himalaya's meltwater for domestic uses, sanitation, agriculture, livestock, clean energy and sustaining ecosystems. Any disruption in the quantity, quality and timing of these water resources can adversely affect these sectors with profound implications for food and nutrition security and sustainable economic development. Research has already indicated that meltwater will peak one to two months earlier in the spring season by the end of the century in the Indus basin, which might adversely affect crop production if adaptation measures are not introduced in time.

A study published in February 2025 reported that glaciers worldwide lost 273 billion tons of ice annually in the last two decades (equivalent to 100 million Olympic-sized swimming pools every year). Alarmingly, this loss increased by 36 percent in the second half of this period. In the Himalayan region, the situation is dire as glaciers have been melting 65 percent faster since 2010 than during the previous decade.

Meltwater is essential for South Asia’s food and nutrition security, a region recognised as the breadbasket for millions of people. Research indicates that 60 percent of the irrigation water in the spring comes from snow and glacier melt, which contributes to an additional 11 percent of total food production. The projected hydrological shift, including earlier shifting in meltwater peak, demands an urgent rethinking of the crop calendar, farming practices and irrigation planning.

The Himalayan region has a huge potential for hydropower production, which is about 500,000 Megawatt (MW). While hydropower offers a cleaner energy pathway, it is increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Frequent natural hazards and extreme weather events pose serious risks to infrastructure. Hydropower projects are especially vulnerable due to various interconnected processes that are destabilising the landscape. The region has already witnessed many atypical disasters that have severely impacted people, communities and infrastructure, such as the Chamoli disaster in India (2021), the Melamchi disaster in Nepal (2021), the Pakistan floods (2022), and the Sikkim disaster in India (2023). The September 2024 floods in Nepal damaged hydropower projects of over 1500MW, causing $22 million in economic loss.

These events highlight a broader issue: Glacier loss and climate change are reshaping the Himalayan landscape, destabilising it in complex ways that affect not just water availability but the safety and sustainability of entire communities and economies.

What can be done?

Although scientists have projected that global CO2 emission is likely to peak before 2030 and decrease onwards due to various international commitments to limit the temperature increase, the path ahead will see continued glacial retreat. This makes adaptation not just necessary but urgent. Water is central to the adaptation. Therefore, wise management of water resources requires collective actions, bringing together governments, civil society, researchers, communities and development partners.

The Himalayan rivers flow across multiple countries, forming strong highland and lowland linkages, making regional cooperation essential, particularly for transboundary river management. Sharing data, coordinating research and developing joint strategies can enhance the effectiveness of adaptation efforts.

Currently, sectoral silos dominate the water management practices in the region. However, this approach will not be sustainable as climate change impacts are interconnected and cross-sectoral. We need a more integrated approach that recognises water as the system connector—a resource that links food systems, health, sanitation, energy, ecosystems and livelihoods. Unless we manage seasonal variability of water resources—too much during monsoon, too little in the drier months—in a coordinated way, the consequences will ripple across all sectors. Investing in scientific research and glacier monitoring is essential in developing early warning systems and hazard preparedness.

Climate change impacts are not equal, as vulnerable and marginalised communities, including people with disabilities and Indigenous peoples, are often disproportionately affected. Their voices must be central in designing adaptation planning. Inclusive decision-making can ensure that responses are just, equitable and effective.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in its Sixth Assessment Report (AR6), has warned that adaptation challenges will be more significant at 2 degrees Celsius of warming than at 1.5 degrees Celsius. Therefore, the choice is ours.

Every action to reduce emissions from sustainable consumption and adaptive lifestyle to circular economy practices like reducing, reusing and recycling helps slow down the pace of melting. At the same time, South Asian countries should work together to advocate reducing emissions by developed nations and strong climate policies at international forums.

We may not be able to stop the shrinking of Himalayan glaciers completely, but at least we could reduce the melting rate. Protecting these frozen reservoirs is not just about preserving a natural wonder; it’s about safeguarding lives, livelihoods and the region’s future.

2025 has been declared the International Year of Glacier Preservation (IYGP), and March 21 is celebrated as World Day for Glaciers for the first time. If we act now, there’s still a chance that future generations will see the real glaciers—not just pictures or museum displays.