Himalayan snowfall has been miscalculated for years, here’s how we found a new way to measure it

Researchers developed a new way to measure snowfall which will help communities plan on how to use and capture water. Evgeni Fabisuk/Shutterstock

Mountain snow and meltwater from glaciers in the Himalayas determine how much water is available for drinking, farming and hydropower for millions of people in India, Pakistan, Nepal, China and Afghanistan.

This is especially important during the spring and early summer crop-growing season when meltwater helps sustain the flow of rivers and provides the region with a vital buffer against the worst impacts of a dry season or drought. Because many of these rivers cross national borders, changes in water supply can also heighten regional tensions when resources are scarce.