Volume 09,Issue 04

Climate Change and Water Resources in Nepal: Assessing the Impact of Glacier Meltwater on Hydrological Dynamics

Authors

Sadiksha Rai, Aashish Khadka

Abstract
The study focuses on understanding the flow characteristics of glacier-fed rivers in Nepal, particularly in the Seti River basin, employing the Gridded Glacio-hydrological Degree-day Model (GDM). The model, which considers components such as snow melt, ice melt, base flow, and rainfall, demonstrates satisfactory performance during both calibration and validation periods. The research contributes valuable insights into the relative contributions of these factors to the total river discharge. This information is crucial for comprehending the hydrological dynamics of glacier-fed river systems and has potential implications for climate change impact assessments, particularly in relation to glacier melt. Furthermore, the study’s findings can inform water resource management strategies in Nepal, aiding in the sustainable utilization of water resources. The consistent model performance over different time periods enhances its reliability, and the spatial distribution of temperature and precipitation data could have broader regional applicability for areas with similar hydrological characteristics. Overall, the research provides a foundation for informed decision-making in water resource planning and highlights the potential of the GDM as a robust tool for assessing river flow in glacierized regions.

Keyword: Meltwater, Rain Impacts, Glacier-fed rivers, Gridded Glaciohydrological Degree-day Model (GDM).

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