Himalaya's 'glacier bankruptcy' threatens water supply for 2 bil. people

In November 2023, Indian investigative news outlet Article 14 published a damning report exposing the dire consequences facing the Himalayan glaciers due to climate change. The outlet's analysis of rainfall data in Srinagar, Kashmir, revealed alarming drops: August saw just 9.5 millimeters of rainfall, a staggering 87.63 percent below the normal 76.8 millimeters. September followed with only 20 millimeters, 73.33 percent lower than the average of 75 millimeters recorded in the same month.

The report painted a grim picture of the region's rapidly shrinking glaciers, describing them as "scattered patches of white snow" amidst the once lush, snow-capped mountain range. The plight of local residents was vividly illustrated through photographs showing the Jhelum River transformed into a dry bed, where once houseboats floated peacefully. Residents were forced to wade into the parched riverbed to catch fish, a stark contrast to the days when the river teemed with life.

The impacts extended far beyond the riverbed. The report highlighted the broader implications - from disrupted apple harvests, a crucial source of income for locals, to diminished drinking water supplies, electricity generation, and overall livelihoods. The Himalayan glaciers, once a vital source of sustenance and livelihood, were facing an existential threat, potentially impacting the water supply for an estimated two billion people who rely on them.