Himalayan Glaciers Warming Twice as Fast as Global Average, Warns IPCC and WMO
Himalayan Glaciers Warming Twice as Fast as Global Average, Warns IPCC and WMO
IN · Published Nov 6, 2026
• The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) have reported that the high mountains of Asia, including the Hindu Kush, Karakoram, and Himalayan ranges, are warming at a rate of 0.3°C per decade—nearly double the global average. Research by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) indicates that ice-loss rates in the Hindu Kush Himalaya region have doubled since
• The warming is not uniform, with the western Himalayas experiencing faster temperature increases than the central and eastern regions. This accelerated warming is destabilising glaciers and permafrost, leading to catastrophic events such as avalanches, landslides, and flash floods.

Impact & Risks

The rapid warming and melting of glaciers in the Himalayas pose significant risks to the region. Destabilised glaciers and thawing permafrost increase the likelihood of catastrophic events, such as rock avalanches and high-altitude flash floods. These disasters threaten infrastructure, hydropower projects, and downstream communities. The melting glaciers also contribute to rising sea levels and disrupt water supplies for millions of people who depend on glacial meltwater. The region's vulnerability is further exacerbated by the lack of climate-resilient development and inadequate early warning systems.

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