Himalayan snow cover hits 20 year low sparking water fears for billions downstream

Fourth straight year of weak snow—less stored water

Snow cover across the Hindu Kush Himalaya has fallen to its lowest level in more than two decades, with weak snow levels persisting for the fourth year in a row. The result: reduced snow storage, meaning rivers may carry less water. With major basins like the Indus and Mekong seeing sharp declines, nearly two billion people could feel the impact.