Himalayan Melt Quickens, Threatening South Asia’s Water and Climate Stability

A private Systemiq–led study, with technical help from India’s Himalayan research institutions, finds the Himalayas’ ice is melting about 65% faster than a decade ago and could lose up to 80% of its glaciers by 2100, driving a mid‑century peak‑water crisis that could eventually dry the mountains’ rivers while delivering deadly flash floods today. The region’s meltwater supports roughly two billion people, but monitoring is sparse—only about 21 of ~40,000 glaciers are closely tracked—leaving many unstable glacial lakes at high risk of breaching. Nepal’s Aug. 2026 Langtang Lirung flood tragedy and other disasters illustrate immediate dangers to hydropower, agriculture, and regional stability, with ripple effects on economies and supply chains across South Asia and potentially beyond.