Himalayan Communities Are Relying on Centuries-Old Water Solutions In the Face of Climate Change
From building modern ice stupas to studying the shifting risks, communities fight to protect their homes.
Himalayan communities are relying on centuries-old water solutions in the face of climate change. The Laya rhythm, passed down through generations, guides the people to align their activities with water cycles. During monsoon seasons, when rain falls in just four months, communities funnel rooftop rainwater into gravel pits and handcrafted bamboo pipes that recharge underground wells. They also rediscover old subterranean medieval stone spout networks by unearthing them for drinking, washing, and bathing.
However, the Himalayas are experiencing unprecedented changes due to rapid global warming. Glacier mass has been melting 65% faster than a decade ago, causing a shift in water availability. By 2050, it is projected that 80% of glacier mass will be lost, affecting 2 billion Asians across 12 major river basins downstream. Recent events, such as a 55 million-ton, 93-m.p.h. ice-rock avalanche in Nepal that killed over 1,400 people, highlight the growing dangers of extreme weather events and water scarcity.
To adapt, Himalayan communities are reviving ancient water systems and building artificial glaciers. They are reclaiming historic infrastructure, like the hiti or dhara, an underground terracotta canal network dating back to the 6th century. This ancient network connects to ponds that absorb monsoon rain, recharging groundwater levels during dry seasons. In the Kathmandu Valley, local governments are actively restoring and rerouting this ancient spring network, threatened by climate change and rapid urbanization.
Hydrometeorologist and environmental scientist Ngamindra Dahal, chairperson of the Nepal Water Conservation Foundation, is working with communities to map new water patterns based on seasonal flow rates, water quality, and geographic elevations. He teaches them how to design localized water-sharing agreements and storage solutions while adapting household rainwater harvesting systems. Dahal emphasizes that repairing broken infrastructure is not enough when the spring itself stops flowing.
Written by urgent.news from Time's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
