Guwahati, April 25 -- A continued decline in winter snow across the Brahmaputra basin is raising fresh concerns over water availability, agriculture, and hydropower in Northeast India, according to the latest HKH Snow Update 2026 released by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).

The report finds that snow persistence in the Brahmaputra basin dropped 6.1% below normal during the November 2025-March 2026 winter season, marking the second consecutive year of below-normal levels.

Snow persistence, or how long snow remains on the ground after snowfall, plays a critical role in sustaining river flows during the pre-monsoon months. Any decline directly impacts early summer water availability downstream.

A worr...