Asia’s high mountains are losing 24 billion tonnes of groundwater each year

Groundwater reserves in High Mountain Asia are experiencing severe depletion annually due to a combination of climate impacts and excessive human water usage. The irrigation needs in the lower basins dramatically exacerbate groundwater storage losses. If current consumption trends continue, projections suggest that depletion will persist. Although temporary glacier melt may provide a short reprieve, this will be followed by a more rapid decline.