This shift is further evidenced by increased base flow and rainfall runoff, which suggest that climate change has caused major hydrological alterations, affecting the glacier's melt patterns.

A temperature rise of approximately 0.5°C over the period has led to earlier summer melting and a shift in peak discharge from August to July, posing risks to water security, hydropower, and irrigation.

Long-term data reveals a significant decline in snow cover and snowmelt from the Gangotri Glacier, with a corresponding increase in rainfall contributions, indicating the profound impact of rising temperatures on the glacier's hydrology.

The composition of the glacier's water flow is changing, with snowmelt decreasing from 73% in the 1980s to about 63% in the 2010s, reflecting evolving hydrological dynamics driven by warming temperatures.

Satellite and observational data from 1980 to 2020 show a decline in snowmelt contribution over the decades, with the percentage dropping from 73% in the 1980s to 63% in the 2010s, highlighting ongoing climate impacts.

Other studies confirm these findings, noting that Himalayan glaciers, including Gangotri, are losing thickness at an average rate of 46 cm annually, with observable recession of the glacier's snout and volumetric decline.

Since the 1990s, data indicates a consistent shift in peak water discharge to earlier months, primarily due to reduced winter snowfall and earlier melting cycles.

Research by IIT Indore, ICIMOD, and US universities reports a 10% reduction in snowmelt flow from the Gangotri Glacier over the past four decades, directly impacting the Ganga River's water supply.

This 10% decline in snowmelt flow is a clear consequence of climate change, emphasizing the glacier's shrinking contribution to regional water resources.

The glacier's annual discharge is around 28 cubic meters per second, with snowmelt historically contributing about 64%, but this share has decreased from 73% in the 1980s to roughly 63% in the 2010s.

The decline in snowmelt proportion is linked to rising winter temperatures (about -2°C on average) and changes in winter precipitation, which initially increased snow accumulation but ultimately contributed to reduced melting over time.

Experts warn that these hydrological changes threaten regional water security, with serious implications for hydropower, irrigation, and overall water availability in northern India.