The snow-covered peaks around the Badrinath shrine in Uttarakhand are melting much earlier than usual, and scientists are sounding the alarm.
This early loss of snow could lead to glaciers melting faster, which would have serious effects on the local environment and global water supplies.
In December 2024, a heavy snowfall covered the Badrinath Dham Temple and its surroundings. But by April 2025, the snow had already melted away—much sooner than it would have in the past. This change is a worrying sign that the region’s glaciers are becoming more vulnerable to rapid melting, which could lead to bigger problems for both the environment and people who depend on the water from these glaciers.
Just 20 years ago, the snow around Badrinath would last until April, and sometimes even into late May. But now, snow is disappearing faster, and this trend is linked to changes in the climate, as well as more human activity in the Badrinath area.
Dr. Manish Mehta, a glaciologist at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, says the snow patterns of Badrinath are unpredictable. “We are no longer seeing regular snowfall in the region, and the snow that does fall melts quickly,” he explained to The New Indian Express. This change, he says, is mainly due to climate change and human impact on the area.
Snow is important because it acts like a protective layer for the glaciers underneath. It blocks sunlight, helping to keep the ice from melting too quickly. As the snow melts earlier each year, the glaciers are exposed to more sunlight and warmth, which speeds up their melting. If this continues, the glaciers could disappear even faster, which would be a huge problem for the environment and the people who rely on glacier water.
Glaciers store about 68.7% of the world’s fresh water, making them crucial to ecosystems and human communities. If they continue to melt quickly, sea levels will rise, and millions of people who depend on glacier-fed rivers could face water shortages. “This is not just a local issue,” Dr. Mehta warned. “It’s a global problem that affects water resources, ecosystems, and human lives.”
As the glaciers in the Himalayas continue to shrink, it’s more important than ever to take action to protect them. The local environment could be damaged beyond repair, and communities depending on these glaciers for water could be in danger. Dr. Mehta’s message is clear: we need to act now before the glaciers are gone.
