Study decodes impact of climate change, damming on Ganga basin


By studying rainfall data, water runoff in the rivers, and sediment load in the Upper Ganga Basin, the researchers found that ongoing climate change and human activities such as dam building have had a major impact on the region. This can lead to an increase in flooding in the Ganga Basin.

“The Himalayan regions are one of the most flood-affected regions in the last few decades. In addition, several large Himalayan rivers are regulated by more than 300 hydraulic structures (planned, commissioned and under construction) in order to use hydropower and meet agricultural water needs, ”explains Prof. Pradeep Mujumdar from the Interdisciplinary Center for Water and Research at the Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore, in an email to indianexpress.com. "As a result, the upstream-downstream connections are severely affected by hydrological, geomorphological and ecological processes in the catchment areas of the Himalayan River."

Prof. Mujumdar is the corresponding author of the work published in Scientific Reports.

A new study by IISc and @ IITKanpur researchers provides insights into the effects of climate change and anthropogenic activities such as dam building in the Ganga Basinhttps: //t.co/E1mzG0SGea pic.twitter.com/bcFaFmDPmp

- IISc Bangalore (@iiscbangalore) November 17, 2021

He goes on to say that while there are several studies evaluating the effects of land use and land cover changes, heavy metal pollution, water quality, and glacial meltwater contribution, there have been limited studies of the hydrological changes caused by hydrological structures and climatic conditions in the Himalayas -Region.

The team focused on two major tributaries, Bhagirathi and Alaknanda. The researchers examined data from 1971 to 2010 and found a steady increase in the number of flood events after 1995. They suggest that dams in the region may have altered water activity and sediment transport.

"Severe flood risk"

According to Prof. Mujumdar, the entire downstream Alaknanda Basin is vulnerable to extreme flooding in the near future.

“One such event was recently reported (in February 2021) near Joshimath that destroyed the Tapovan Dam. High drains were quickly handled due to the lean condition of the main stream. However, if this event had happened during the monsoon season, there could be a severe risk of flooding in the downstream regions, ”he adds.

The team hopes that the results of the study will contribute to the sustainable management of river basins.

The team is now studying the effects of climate change using climate model simulations and hydrological models. These studies will help assess the evolving extreme flooding scenarios in the region. "We have no control" what happens in the atmosphere. But we are in control on site. Currents can be predicted with hydrological models. With this knowledge, we can develop both structural and non-structural mitigation measures high currents, ”says Mujumdar in a press release.


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http://dailytechnonewsllc.com/study-decodes-impact-of-climate-change-damming-on-ganga-basin/

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