On World Glacier Day, a United Nations report warns that Hindu Kush Himalaya glaciers retreating 65% faster than a decade ago is a grave threat to water security, ecosystems, and regional stability. Covering an area of five million square kilometers, the region provides water to 1.65 billion people and is home to 100,000 km² of glaciers.

By 2100, the glacier volume may have decreased 30 to 50% if global temperatures increase by 1.5 to 2°C. Over 2°C of warming might result in the loss of 45% of the 2020 glacier volume. According to the March 21, 2025, issue of the UN World Water Development Report 2025, alpine glaciers around the world may lose between 26 and 41% of their total mass.

Glacier Melts Increase the Risk of Disasters

Hydrological systems are drastically changed by glacier melt, particularly in basins where monsoons are predominant. Although overall runoff is expected to rise in the HKH region, the effects will differ depending on the river basin. Glacier retreat puts infrastructure, agriculture, and human populations at risk by causing natural disasters like landslides, flash floods, and Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs).

The area and number of glacial lakes have significantly increased since the 1990s, raising the possibility of GLOFs. GLOFs have taken over 12,000 lives in the last 200 years, with over 7,000 deaths in the past 190 years occurring in the HKH region alone. By the end of the century, the likelihood of such catastrophes might triple, the report cautions.

Colombia has recently seen a rapid disappearance of glaciers. The snow-covered Conejeras Glacier remained visible in August 2023. The glacier completely disappeared a month later, as demonstrated by a video recorded by a mountain guide, underscoring the glacier’s swift decline.

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Mountains Under Threat: Governance and Economic Challenges

The report also emphasizes how mountain-dependent sectors are both causing and being affected by climate change. Local populations are under immense strain as a result of the massive water extraction needed for the mining of lithium in Bolivia, northern Argentina, and Chile. Two thousand cubic meters of water are needed to produce one tonne of lithium.

In mountainous areas, hydropower is a major industry, but unchecked expansion is putting a strain on water supplies. For instance, some rivers in Georgia have dried up due to over-reliance on hydropower infrastructure. The report cautions that the disruption of water supply caused by the Hindu Kush Himalaya Glaciers retreating 65% faster, altered precipitation patterns and increased evaporation is already impacting hydropower generation. Although hydropower may be temporarily boosted by glacier melt, long-term water loss may counterbalance this benefit.

Another major obstacle is governance-related issues. The report emphasizes how water governance is weaker in mountainous regions than in lowland areas, especially in the HKH, where mistrust between nations prevents transboundary collaboration. For the mitigation of disaster risks, especially in the management of GLOFs and river floods, better data-sharing and information exchange are crucial.

The report suggests six transboundary measures for the HKH region:

• Improve cooperation to benefit all stakeholders.
• Prioritize and acknowledge the unique needs of mountain communities.
• Take climate action to limit global warming below 1.5°C.
• Accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Prevent biodiversity loss and enhance ecosystem resilience.
• Encourage scientific cooperation and regional data sharing.

It also emphasizes how mountain communities require greater financial and legislative support. Despite the availability of substantial funding for sustainable development, many mountain regions remain highly vulnerable to the worsening effects of climate change due to limited access to major support programs.

Also Read: UNESCO Report: Glaciers Facing Fastest Melt In Recorded History