Nepal’s Mountains Turn Black in Winter

On a December morning in 2024, locals in Nepal’s Manang region woke up to an unsettling sight. The Machhapuchhre peak, known as the “Fishtail Mountain” for its distinctive shape, stood bare and black against the sky – a departure from its usual snow-white winter coat. This wasn’t an isolated incident. Across Nepal’s legendary Himalayan range, mountains were showing their naked, rocky faces in what should have been the depths of winter.

“I’ve spent 60 years in this village, and I’ve never seen anything like this,” says Yangdung Gurung, a resident of Upper Pisang, his voice heavy with concern. “Everything used to be covered in white snow. But now, even the mountains seem to lack snow.”

The transformation is dramatic. Dhaulagiri, one of Nepal’s eight-thousanders, appeared dry and rugged in mid-December. The renowned peaks of Gangapurna, Lamjung, and Pisang have largely turned into barren black cliffs. Where snow once piled up to eight feet, as recalled by Kumar Gurung of Khangsar, it now barely reaches a foot.

This alarming trend isn’t confined to Nepal. Across the globe, iconic peaks are losing their white crowns. In Japan, Mount Fuji made headlines when it recorded its latest first snowfall in 130 years of monitoring – snow didn’t appear until November 6, 2024, more than a month later than its traditional early October coating.

The European Alps tell a similar story. Over the past century, these mountains have lost approximately one-third of their snow cover. The western Himalayas, including the popular winter destination of Gulmarg, have experienced what experts call a “historical snowless dry winter,” with snowfall dropping by a staggering 80%. Pakistan’s Central Hunza region, too, reports unprecedented snow scarcity.

Research paints a grim picture of the Himalayan region’s future. Studies indicate that these mountains have lost about one-third of their ice volume in just three decades. The area covered by thick snow has plummeted from 10,768 square kilometers to 3,258.6 square kilometers, while thin snow cover has expanded significantly.

“The trends we’re seeing are alarming,”

says Dr. Sher Mohammed of the Integrated Mountain Development Center. While he notes that annual variations exist – with last winter actually seeing the highest snowfall in 20 years – the long-term trajectory points downward. If current emission trends continue, projections suggest that 70-80% of current glacier volume could vanish by the century’s end.

The implications extend far beyond aesthetics. These snow-capped peaks serve as natural water towers for approximately 2 billion people across Asia. The Indus River basin, for instance, relies on meltwater for up to 83% of its annual groundwater recharge. As the snow disappears, this vital water source is increasingly threatened.

Local communities are already feeling the impact. Sonamtapke Gurung from Tanki Manang describes a shifting climate pattern: “Nowadays, the winters are extremely cold, and the summers are excessively hot.” The changes aren’t just about temperature – they’re seeing less snowfall in winter and increased rainfall during monsoons, a transformation that threatens traditional ways of life and local ecosystems.

The disappearance of snow triggers a cascade of consequences. Melting glaciers increase the risk of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs) and landslides. Local biodiversity, adapted to stable ice and snow conditions, faces unprecedented challenges. Winter tourism, a crucial economic lifeline for many mountain communities, stands threatened.

The eastern Himalayas, particularly in Nepal and Bhutan, are projected to be hit hardest, potentially losing up to 60% of their ice mass by 2100. Even the traditionally more resilient western regions, including the Karakoram range, are now showing signs of accelerated loss.

As these mountains turn from white to black, they send a clear message about the urgent need for climate action. The transformation of these iconic peaks serves as a visible reminder of climate change’s immediate impacts. The question “Where has the snow gone?” echoes across continents, demanding attention and action from a global audience.

For the people living in the shadow of these changing giants, the issue is immediate and personal. As one stands at the base of Machhapuchhre, watching its darkened peak pierce the sky, the urgency of addressing climate change becomes impossible to ignore. The future of these mountains – and the billions who depend on them – hangs in the balance, making their preservation not just an environmental imperative but a human one.

Sources: BBC Nepali, RSS, Himal Khabar, Online Khabar, The Sherpa Legends