The Western Himalayas are experiencing increasingly frequent droughts combined with warmer temperatures, creating a serious challenge for ecosystems and local communities. To understand whether these conditions are unusual, we studied tree rings from Himalayan cedar trees, which record changes in rainfall going back nearly 400 years. Our analysis revealed that the spring of 2022 was the driest in almost four centuries. We also found that recent droughts are linked to warmer ocean temperatures and shifting wind patterns. These insights help us better understand the risks posed by climate change, guiding future actions to protect water resources and ecosystems in this vital mountain region.