16 Asian countries at risk as climate change threatens water supplies

People living in 16 countries of Asia are at grave risk as climate change hits hard the water and energy supplies in the region. Climate-related disruptions to the Hindu Kush-Himalayan water system have emerged as a major concern for Asia.

A concerted action is needed to protect regional water flows that could create a dire situation in the region, including in India as the Hindu Kush-Himalayan basin is hit by climate change. 10 major rivers flow from the Hindu Kush-Himalayan region and the water towers are home to over a billion people and generate $4.3 trillion in annual GDP.

The 10 rivers include the Ganges and the Brahmaputra running into India and Bangladesh, China’s Yangtze and Yellow Rivers, as well as transboundary waterways like the Mekong and the Salween.

The research led by China Water Risk think tank stated that climate change impacts like glacial melt and extreme weather are already posing “grave threats” to the region. The think tank highlighted that the construction of water-intensive energy infrastructure was aggravating the problems and that all rivers would face “escalating and compounding water risks … if we are unable to rein in emissions.”

The rivers are known for supporting and aiding three-quarters of hydropower and 44% of coal-fired power in the 16 countries which are still heavily dependent on fossil fuels for their energy requirements. More than 300 GW – enough to power Japan – is situated in regions facing “high” or “extremely high” water risks, the researchers added.

The Yangtze River basin in China, on the other hand, supports around a third of the country’s population and around 15% of its power capacity. The region has already experienced a record-long drought last year, with plummeting hydroelectric output disrupting global supply chains.

As climate risks mount, countries are under pressure to draw up policies that ensure the “dovetailing” of energy and water security, the researchers noted.

A study last year also pointed out that over a billion people will be affected if the melting of Himalayan glaciers continues. The study by a team from IIT-Indore indicates that the melting of glaciers and snow are important components in the region and if it continues through the century, it may one day stop supplying water altogether.