Cryosphere change in the warming Himalaya: Snow cover and snowline trends in Nepal’s Langtang Basin (1988-2024)

Authors

  • Dhiraj Pradhananga Department of Meteorology, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Sunil Adhikary Department of Meteorology, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Bhola Nath Dhakal Department of Geography, Ratna Rajya Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Aakriti Dhakal The Small Earth Nepal, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Ashok Ghimire Department of Meteorology, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Sushant Dhital Department of Meteorology, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
  • Susa Manandhar Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/jtha.v7i1.80875

Keywords:

climate change, Google Earth Engine (GEE), Langtang Basin, Snow-Covered Area (SCA), Snow Line Elevation (SLE)

Abstract

Snow-covered area (SCA) and its migrating lower boundary, the snowline elevation (SLE), are vital indicators of climate change and water availability in mountain regions. We examined the interannual and decadal changes in SCA and SLE in Nepal’s Langtang Basin from 1988 to 2024. Using Landsat images and the Normalized Difference Snow Index (NDSI) on Google Earth Engine (GEE), we found that Annual SCA declined from ~200 km2 in 1988 to ~128 km2 in 2024, with a statistically significant trend of -3.7 km2/year (p = 0.001). Snowline elevation rose by approximately +2.24 m/year (p = 0.088), indicating an upward shift of seasonal snowpack. These results indicate significant cryospheric changes in Langtang, consistent with regional warming trends. This study highlights the power of openaccess satellite data and cloud platforms for monitoring remote mountain environments. Our research supports the International Year of Glacier Preservation (IYGP 2025) and the UN Decade of Action for Cryosphere Sciences (2025-2034).

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Published

07-07-2025

How to Cite

Pradhananga, D., Adhikary, S., Dhakal, B. N., Dhakal, A., Ghimire, A., Dhital, S., & Manandhar, S. (2025). Cryosphere change in the warming Himalaya: Snow cover and snowline trends in Nepal’s Langtang Basin (1988-2024) . Journal of Tourism and Himalayan Adventures, 7(1), 14–26. https://doi.org/10.3126/jtha.v7i1.80875

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 1 (2025)

Section

Articles