As Himalayan glaciers melt, Ladakh banks water in ice

In the Himalayan village of Ursi, artificial glaciers store millions of liters of water for spring farming. Can technology buy time in a warming climate?

Nature and EnvironmentAsia

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Nature and EnvironmentAsiahttps://p.dw.com/p/5PNzw

In the remote Himalayan village of Ursi in Ladakh, farmers depend on snowmelt. But climate change is both altering seasonal rainfall and reducing snowfall.

For decades, villagers experimented with artificial glaciers and ice stupas to store winter water for spring irrigation, often facing harsh conditions and repeated setbacks.

Now, an automated ice reservoir system combines traditional knowledge with sensors and remote monitoring to store millions of liters of water while cutting costs and maintenance.

The project is helping farmers irrigate more land. But with glaciers retreating and water sources under growing pressure, residents know technology can likely only buy time in a rapidly warming Himalaya.

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