The Zemu Glacier in Sikkim is retreating at a rate that scientists at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology say is unprecedented in their records. Our camera team made four visits over 12 months to document the change.
Between April 2025 and April 2026, the glacier’s terminus retreated 62 metres — more than the entire retreat recorded in the preceding decade. The acceleration is consistent with warming patterns across the Hindu Kush Himalayan region that climate scientists have been warning about for years.
Why This Matters
The Himalayas are the water tower of Asia, feeding 10 major river systems including the Ganga, Brahmaputra, Indus, and Yangtze. An estimated 800 million people depend on Himalayan meltwater for drinking water, irrigation, and hydropower. Scientists warn that accelerated retreat will cause short-term flooding followed by long-term water scarcity.