Summary This study monitors the great Himalayas between the year 1998–2008 using satellite data. The Landsat satellite data was used to monitor variations in the area of glacier. Further the snow-covered area (SCA) of the part of Alaknanda basin was computed both for the winter and the summer season. The analysis for the same was done between 1998 and 2008. It was observed that the amount of decrease in the SCA was more in winter season compared to summer season, which also shows the rate of retreat of glacier. This study also classifies the snow into two categories (1) dry snow and (2) wet snow. The pattern in the change in area of these two categories was analysed both for the winter and summer season.
