ICIMOD Report Highlights Snow Persistence Decline in Hindu Kush Himalaya
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Event | ICIMOD releases the HKH 2025 report on snow persistence and water security. |
| Released By | International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) |
| Date of Release | April 21, 2025 |
| Key Finding | Snow persistence 23.6% below the 20-year average, lowest in 23 years. |
| Region | Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) |
| Major Rivers Impacted | Ganga (-24.1%), Brahmaputra (-27.9%), Indus (-16.0%) |
| Worst Affected Basins | Mekong (-51.9%), Salween (-48.3%) |
| Snowmelt Contribution | 23% of annual river flows |
| Population at Risk | Over 2 billion people across South Asia |
| Significance | Threatens agriculture, hydropower, drinking water, and livelihoods. |
| Challenges | Glacier melting, water mismanagement, limited cross-border cooperation. |
| Geographic Scope | Spans 4.2 million sq.km across 9 countries. |
| Major River Systems | Ganges, Brahmaputra, Indus, and others (total 10 systems). |
| Glacier Count | 54,000 glaciers (second only to polar regions). |
| ICIMOD Headquarters | Kathmandu, Nepal |