Experts witness climate toll on Himalayas from mountain flight

The Kathmandu Post

Nepali and international experts observed a rapid retreat of snow cover on some of the world’s highest peaks. 

Photographs by The Post’s photojournalist Angad Dhakal captured from the mountain flight.

KATHMANDU – Nepali and international experts observed a rapid retreat of snow cover on some of the world’s highest peaks during an aerial survey over Mount Everest and other Himalayan mountains on Sunday, in a flight aimed at highlighting the visible impacts of climate change.

The mountain flight, conducted on the final day of the Sagarmatha Sambaad 2025, was led by Minister for Forests and Environment Ain Bahadur Shahi Thakuri. The group included 24 foreign delegates and Nepali climate experts.

After observing the mountains, Minister for Forests and Environment Shahi said the direct impact of climate change was visible on the Himalayas.

“In the past, wherever you looked, you would see snow-covered mountains. But now, black rocky hills have started to appear. The mountains that once looked completely white now appear as black peaks,” he said.

“This mountain flight has shown the direct impact of climate change on the Himalayas. Foreign experts and guests, too, observed it first hand.”

The team flew past several major Himalayan peaks, including Everest, Lhotse, Cho Oyu, Shishapangma, Ama Dablam, Gaurishankar, Makalu, and Langtang. Experts on board noted that glaciers appeared diminished and snowlines had retreated.

Links

• IPCC Sixth Assessment Report – Chapter 13: Asia
  Comprehensive UN climate assessment detailing observed and projected climate impacts across Asia, including glacial melt and water security issues in the Himalayas.
• Hindu Kush Himalaya Assessment – ICIMOD
  A landmark regional study outlining how climate change threatens 1.9 billion people relying on Himalayan water systems.
• Nature: Accelerated Ice Loss in the Himalayas
  Peer-reviewed research showing Himalayan glaciers are losing ice at double the rate since the early 2000s.
• DW: Melting Glaciers Threaten Himalayan Water Towers
  Report on how glacial retreat affects ecosystems and agriculture from the Tibetan Plateau to the Indo-Gangetic Plain.
• BBC: Himalayas Losing Glaciers Faster Than Expected
  Coverage of new satellite data confirming faster-than-anticipated melting across the Himalayan arc.
• The Third Pole: Himalayan Glaciers Melting Faster Than Ever
  Investigative journalism focused on environmental change across South Asia, highlighting local climate vulnerabilities.