Himalayan glaciers are melting at an accelerating rate, threatening water security, infrastructure and a significant part of India’s economy, according to new research.
A report by Systemiq, produced with the Integrated Mountain Initiative and supported by regional research organisations, says Himalayan glaciers are losing mass 65% faster than they were a decade ago. However, only around 21 of an estimated 40,000 glaciers in the wider Himalaya-Karakoram region are being monitored continuously.
Researchers warn that the consequences could extend far beyond shrinking glaciers. As ice disappears, glacial lakes can expand behind unstable natural barriers, increasing the possibility of sudden floods. Rising temperatures are also weakening frozen ground and mountain slopes, potentially creating a chain of disasters.
A major economic warning for India
The Himalayas supply water to hundreds of millions of people across South Asia. The report estimates that Himalayan water supports activities contributing around 20% of India’s GDP, including agriculture, hydropower, tea production and tourism. Yet Himalayan states receive only a small share of the economic value generated from these resources.
India has already experienced deadly glacier-related disasters. A glacial lake flood in Sikkim in 2023 killed at least 70 people, while a major flood in Uttarakhand in 2021 claimed more than 200 lives.
The research also identifies black carbon as a major factor, estimating that it contributes about one-third of Himalayan glacier melt. Pollution from sources such as brick kilns can settle on snow and absorb sunlight, speeding up ice loss.
Scientists are calling for stronger glacier monitoring, improved early-warning systems, disaster preparedness and more sustainable tourism. They also stress that Himalayan risks cross national borders, making cooperation among regional countries essential.
