When the ice runs dry: Nepal’s vanishing glaciers and the coming water crisis

Himalayan glaciers are often called “natural water towers” that serve as a vital source of freshwater in South Asia and beyond. Major rivers like Dudh Koshi, Trisuli, and Karnali in Nepal are fed by these glaciers, sustaining lives in the highlands, lowlands, and everywhere in between. These frozen arteries shape every possible aspect of our lives, from daily water consumption and agriculture to cultural and spiritual identity. However, what once seemed eternal is receding at a pace that even science has trouble keeping up with.

According to research by the International Center of Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) , the Hindu Kush Himalayan region’s glaciers are melting 65% faster than they did a decade ago. A study from 2023 has also revealed that Nepal lost nearly 24-25% of its glacial area and about 29% of the total ice volume from 1977 to 2010. This represents a shocking change that happened in just a few decades. The trajectory continues for the environment and Nepal’s water security, agriculture, energy production, and long-term survival.