The Himalayas laid bare: How vanishing snow and ice are reshaping Asia’s water tower

Category : Climate Change | Location : International  | Posted on 2026-01-16 11:04:28

High above the plains of South Asia, the mighty Himalayas, long revered as the “abode of snow” and the cradle of rivers, are losing their white mantle at an alarming pace. Satellite data and ground observations now reveal vast swathes of the Himalayan range lying bare and rocky during winter, a season that historically has draped these peaks in snow. This striking transformation is not a seasonal anomaly but a symptom of systemic, climate-driven change. The implications of a warmer, snow-poor Himalaya extend far beyond altered landscapes; they threaten the water security, ecosystems and livelihoods of nearly two billion people across South and Southeast Asia.

Source: https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/the-himalayas-laid-bare-how-vanishing-snow-and-ice-are-reshaping-asias-water-tower