Himalayan glacier loss raises growing threat to water security, livelihoods

Dhaka: The Himalayas are moving toward a critical point as accelerating glacier loss threatens water supplies, communities and economic activity across South Asia, according to a new regional study.

The assessment, developed by Systemiq with the Integrated Mountain Initiative and contributions from regional research organizations, warns that the Hindu Kush-Himalaya could reach “peak water” around the middle of the century. That marks the stage when glacier-fed river flows stop increasing and begin declining.

The warning follows a deadly glacier collapse along the Nepal-Tibet border in August that triggered floods and landslides. The disaster has since left more than 1,300 people confirmed dead and thousands missing, according to recent reports.

Researchers say retreating glaciers are also creating unstable lakes that could pose serious risks to communities downstream. Nearly 200 glacial lakes in India have been identified as high risk, including 56 considered very high risk.

Monitoring remains limited. Only 21 glaciers are currently being observed directly out of an estimated 40,000 across the Hindu Kush-Himalaya, which stretches across eight countries.

The region is particularly important to India’s economy, supporting more than one-fifth of its GDP and hundreds of millions of people through water, agriculture and other resources.

The report calls for stronger monitoring, disaster preparedness and investment in climate resilience as glacier-driven risks increase.