A new study published in the IEEE Journal of Selected Topics in Applied Earth Observations and Remote Sensing has revealed that glaciers across Asia are losing more than 22 million kilograms of ice every year due to global warming. The study reveals that shifting seasonal rainfall and snowfall patterns across South Asia are speeding up glacier melting. Asia’s high mountain region, called the “Third Pole”, supplies freshwater to over 1.4 billion people in South and Central Asia, making this situation especially concerning.

“These findings highlight that glaciers dominated by the South Asian monsoons, such as the Central Himalaya, Western Himalaya, and Eastern Himalaya, are especially vulnerable,” said Sonam Sherpa, assistant professor at the University of Utah and lead author of the study. Sherpa further warned, “If the timing and intensity of the monsoon continue to change, it could accelerate ice loss and threaten water availability for millions downstream.”

The study explains that melting glaciers affect river flows, directly impacting communities living nearby. “Looking ahead, a faster retreat of mountain glaciers will shift the main source of river flow from glacier melt to rainfall, thereby heightening the risk of droughts in downstream regions for future generations,” said Susanna Werth, assistant professor at Virginia Tech and co-author of the study.

In the southern part of the Central Himalayas, including areas of Nepal and Uttarakhand, glaciers gain ice during summer rather than winter. Here, cold temperatures turn annual monsoon rainfall into heavy snowfall, which helps sustain glaciers. However, glaciers retreat when snowfall decreases or melting intensifies. Global warming is disrupting both rainfall and snowfall, shortening the accumulation season and accelerating ice loss.

“This risk is not only about long-term water shortages but also about immediate threats to lives and infrastructure,” Sherpa warned. Faster melting increases the likelihood of glacial lake outbursts and higher river water levels, raising the risk of severe flooding.

India has already achieved one milestone in its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by ensuring that 50% of installed energy capacity comes from non-fossil fuel sources. Experts stress that India and other countries must continue to work toward climate goals to limit global temperature rise below pre-industrial levels.

The study highlights the urgent need to address climate change, as glacier loss threatens water security, agriculture, and livelihoods for millions of people across Asia.

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