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The impact of water infrastructure and climate change on the hydrology of the Upper Ganges River Basin

Author

Listed:
  • Luna, Bharati
  • Lacombe, Guillaume
  • Gurung, Pabitra
  • Jayakody, Priyantha
  • Hoanh, Chu Thai
  • Smakhtin, Vladimir U.

Abstract

This study assessed the variability of flows under present and 'naturalized' basin conditions in the Upper Ganges Basin (UGB). Furthermore, the PRECIS regional climate model (RCM) was used to generate climate projections for the UGB, with subsequent simulations of future river flows. Results show that the annual average precipitation, actual evapotranspiration (ET) and net water yields of the whole basin were 1,192 mm, 416 mm and 615 mm, respectively. Precipitation, ET and water yields were found to be higher in the forested and mountainous upper areas of the UGB. On an annual average, present-day flows throughout UGB are about 2-8% lower than under naturalized conditions. Dry and wet season flows under climate change (CC) scenario A2 are lower than that under present climate conditions at upstream locations, but higher at downstream locations of UGB. Flows under CC scenario B2 are systematically higher and lower than that under CC scenario A2 during dry and wet seasons, respectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Luna, Bharati & Lacombe, Guillaume & Gurung, Pabitra & Jayakody, Priyantha & Hoanh, Chu Thai & Smakhtin, Vladimir U., 2011. "The impact of water infrastructure and climate change on the hydrology of the Upper Ganges River Basin," IWMI Research Reports 137493, International Water Management Institute.
    • Handle: RePEc:ags:iwmirr:137493
    DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.137493
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Venot, Jean-Philippe & Turral, Hugh & Samad, Madar & Molle, Francois, 2007. "Shifting waterscapes: explaining basin closure in the Lower Krishna Basin, South India," IWMI Research Reports H040963, International Water Management Institute.
    2. Bharati, Luna & Lacombe, Guillaume & Gurung, Pabitra & Jayakody, Priyantha & Hoanh, Chu Thai & Smakhtin, Vladimir, 2011. "The impact of water infrastructure and climate change on the hydrology of the Upper Ganges River Basin," IWMI Research Reports H044532, International Water Management Institute.
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    Cited by:

    1. Robyn Johnston & Vladimir Smakhtin, 2014. "Hydrological Modeling of Large river Basins: How Much is Enough?," Water Resources Management: An International Journal, Published for the European Water Resources Association (EWRA), Springer;European Water Resources Association (EWRA), vol. 28(10), pages 2695-2730, August.
    2. Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul Islam & Swapan Talukdar & Shumona Akhter & Kutub Uddin Eibek & Md. Mostafizur Rahman & Swades Pal & Mohd Waseem Naikoo & Atiqur Rahman & Amir Mosavi, 2022. "Assessing the Impact of the Farakka Barrage on Hydrological Alteration in the Padma River with Future Insight," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-26, April.
    3. Upali Amarasinghe & Vladimir Smakhtin & Luna Bharati & Ravinder Malik, 2013. "Reallocating water from canal irrigation for environmental flows: benefits forgone in the Upper Ganga Basin in India," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 15(2), pages 385-405, April.
    4. Bharati, Luna, 2012. "Moving towards environmentally sustainable water allocation in South Asia," IWMI Conference Proceedings 210738, International Water Management Institute.
    5. Bharati, Luna, 2012. "Moving towards environmentally sustainable water allocation in South Asia," Conference Papers h045043, International Water Management Institute.

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