Monday, June 29, 2026
Science

How winds above Tibet quietly replenish water for nearly 2 billion people

The "Asian Water Towers" (AWTs), a high-altitude region with a mean elevation exceeding 4,000 meters, serve as the primary freshwater source for nearly 2 billion people. While the Indian summer monsoon is well known for shaping seasonal rainfall patterns that help feed the AWTs, the hydrological rol...

How winds above Tibet quietly replenish water for nearly 2 billion people
Image: Phys.org
The "Asian Water Towers" (AWTs), a high-altitude region with a mean elevation exceeding 4,000 meters, serve as the primary freshwater source for nearly 2 billion people. While the Indian summer monsoon is well known for shaping seasonal rainfall patterns that help feed the AWTs, the hydrological role of the mid-latitude westerlies—which dominate regional weather patterns for three-quarters of the year—has been unclear.

Originally published at Phys.org

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