THE Hindu Kush-Himalayan region, known as Asia’s water tower, is in trouble. The towering ranges have registered a 23-year low in snow persistence — the amount of time snow stays on the ground after it falls. This is particularly alarming because snow plays a vital role in maintaining river flows during dry periods. For Pakistan, which lies downstream of this vast frozen water source, the implications are especially dire, given that the country is already in a state of significant water stress. According to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, snowmelt contributes nearly 25pc of the annual water flow to 12 major river basins. The Indus Basin, which Pakistan relies on most heavily, is particularly dependent on it. Pakistan draws over 60pc of its water needs from the Indus for irrigation, hydropower and daily use. The current 16pc decline in snow persistence in the Indus Basin means that early summer river flows could be drastically reduced, worsening water scarcity in a country already struggling with drought conditions and erratic rainfall. Just last month, the Pakistan Met Department issued a drought alert for Sindh, Balochistan and Punjab.

The reduction in snow cover, now recorded for a third consecutive year, is part of a broader climate trend affecting not just Pakistan but the entire region. Yet, for Pakistan, the stakes are existential. With agriculture forming the backbone of the economy, any disruption in water supply could lead to food insecurity, reduced hydropower output and increased dependence on rapidly depleting groundwater reserves. It is painfully clear that swift action is required on multiple fronts, and a paradigm shift is needed in how the country views water. First, Pakistan must treat water as a scarce resource and boost investment in adaptive water management strategies — including better storage, efficient irrigation systems for agriculture and contingency planning for droughts. Second, it must work with neighbouring countries within the HKH region to strengthen early warning systems and ensure data sharing on snow and water flows. And finally, a shift in policy is needed to align national water strategies with the realities of a changing climate. If current trends continue, the region — which numbers nearly 2bn people — may be faced with an irreversible water crisis. The snow may be vanishing, but the time for decisive action must not.

Published in Dawn, April 23rd, 2025