Why does the Konar River have much more water in summer than in winter?

The Konar River experiences significantly higher water levels in the summer compared to the winter primarily due to the seasonal melting of snow and glaciers in the mountains, combined with the influence of the summer monsoon.12

The eastern Hindu Kush, where the Konar River originates, is situated at the western limit of monsoonal Asia, an area characterized by rainy or snowy summers and dry winters. During the summer months (July to September), the region receives precipitation from rain-bearing monsoon winds. Furthermore, as temperatures rise, the extensive snowpacks and glaciers in the high-altitude regions of the Hindu Kush undergo rapid melting. This meltwater, along with monsoon rainfall, flows into the river system, causing peak summer runoff that can reach up to 60 times the volume of the lowest winter levels. In contrast, winter conditions in this region are dry, and the freezing temperatures cause the movement of meltwater to cease, leading to significantly lower river discharge.3412