Imagine a vast, icy lifeline stretching across mountains from Afghanistan to Myanmar, feeding fresh water to nearly two billion people—about a quarter of the world’s population. This is the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region, home to the planet’s third-largest store of ice and snow. But a worrying new report shares some tough news: snowfall here has hit its lowest point in 23 years, and it has been dropping for three winters in a row.
This isn’t just about less snow for winter hikes or postcard views. It is a big deal for the rivers, crops, and communities that depend on snowmelt to keep water flowing. The report says snow levels are down 23.6% below average, meaning less water in rivers, more strain on groundwater, and a real risk of droughts. “Snow didn’t show up until late January this year, and even then, it was barely there,” said Sher Muhammad, the lead researcher. Some countries are already sounding alarms about droughts, worrying about how they’ll grow enough food or get enough water, especially with heatwaves hitting harder and more often.
ICIMOD, which brings together eight countries including India, Nepal, and Pakistan, is waving a red flag. They’re calling for smarter water management, better drought defenses, and stronger teamwork across borders. The Mekong and Salween rivers, which support millions in China and Myanmar, have lost nearly half their snow cover. That’s a huge blow to the people and ecosystems that rely on them.
Pema Gyamtsho, ICIMOD’s director general, put it bluntly: “Carbon emissions are locking us into a future of shrinking snow in these mountains. We need bold changes now.” He is not alone in sounding the alarm. The UN’s World Meteorological Organization recently pointed out that Asia is getting slammed by climate disasters, with glaciers in the region shrinking at record speeds in five of the last six years.
This is a wake-up call. Nearly two billion people are at risk of water shortages, and the clock is ticking. ICIMOD is pushing for practical steps—better early warning systems, tougher drought plans, and cutting carbon emissions to slow the damage. It is about protecting communities, safeguarding water, and facing this climate challenge head-on before it gets even tougher.
Pakistan, once a land of flowing rivers and fertile fields, is now staring down a water crisis that threatens its people, economy, and future. This isn’t just a story of nature turning against the country—it is also a tale of mismanagement, outdated practices, and missed opportunities. With one of the world’s largest irrigation systems, Pakistan should be a beacon of agricultural success. Instead, its groundwater is vanishing in Punjab, its fields are drowning in Sindh, and its provinces are locked in bitter disputes over water. The real problem? No one is tackling the wasteful way water is used.
Agriculture gulps down over 90% of Pakistan’s water, yet much of it is squandered. Farmers rely on flood irrigation, a method that loses half the water to evaporation or runoff. In Punjab, the nation’s breadbasket, farmers pump out 50 million acre-feet of groundwater yearly, mostly to grow thirsty crops like sugarcane and rice. The water table is dropping over a meter each year, pushing Punjab toward the same fate as Balochistan, where depleted aquifers have left farmers high and dry, and families without drinking water. A World Bank report warns that this groundwater crisis could derail Pakistan’s dreams of becoming an upper-middle-income nation.
Sindh faces a different struggle. In Upper Sindh, leaky canals and over-irrigation have turned fertile land into waterlogged, salty wastelands. Over half the irrigated fields are now unusable, yet farmers still grow water-hogging crops like sugarcane. In Lower Sindh, the Indus River no longer carries enough freshwater to push back the encroaching sea, shrinking the once-vibrant Indus Delta and swallowing farmland. These aren’t isolated problems—they’re symptoms of a system that has been ignored for too long.
Pakistan’s water comes from the mighty Indus Basin, delivering about 140 million acre-feet annually. But the country can only store 10% of this flow, compared to the global average of 40%. India, with less water from the Indus Waters Treaty, has built reservoirs to hold 18.5 million acre-feet, while Pakistan lags at 13.6 million. The 1991 Water Accord, meant to fairly share water among provinces, only deepened tensions because there weren’t enough reservoirs to capture the flow. Water goes to waste, and provinces point fingers while the real issue—inefficient use—slips through the cracks.
Take Punjab’s sugarcane obsession. Decades ago, sugarcane was a minor crop here, grown mostly in Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Now, Punjab pours its dwindling groundwater into this water-intensive crop, despite warnings that it’s unsustainable. If this continues, Punjab’s aquifers will be beyond saving, triggering a collapse in agriculture and the economy.
There is a way out, but it requires bold action. Pakistan needs a crop zoning policy that matches crops to each region’s water and climate. Northern Punjab could thrive on rain-fed crops like millet, lentils, or olives. Central Punjab should stick to wheat, maize, or canola, with tight limits on rice and sugarcane. Southern Punjab could focus on cotton, dates, or pulses, while Western Punjab grows drought-tolerant sorghum or oilseeds. In Sindh, Upper Sindh should swap sugarcane for sunflower or cotton, and Lower Sindh could embrace salt-tolerant crops like date palms or barley.
To make this shift, farmers need support, not just orders. The government should offer cash incentives, subsidies, and guaranteed prices for low-water crops. Supply chains and markets for these crops need a boost, too. Water use must be reined in with well licenses, metered tube wells, and tiered pricing to discourage waste. Satellites and sensors can help track usage. Drip and sprinkler irrigation should replace flood methods, with subsidies to ease the transition and bans on wasteful practices in dry areas.
Farmers also need knowledge. Nationwide training and pilot farms can show them how modern irrigation and alternative crops work. Credit access for those who follow zoning rules would sweeten the deal. These steps aren’t just about saving water—they’re about saving livelihoods, preventing food shortages, and keeping Pakistan’s economy afloat.
The clock is ticking. Without action, Pakistan risks mass displacement, empty fields, and a future where water is a luxury. But with smart policies, farmer support, and a commitment to change, the country can turn the tide and protect its rivers, lands, and people for generations to come.