Impact of climate change on streamflow in Hunza River, Karakoram Region, Pakistan | |
| Author | Baig, Muhammad Sohaib |
| Call Number | AIT Thesis no.WM-15-18 |
| Subject(s) | Climatic changes--Pakistan--Hunza River Streamflow--Pakistan--Hunza River |
| Note | A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Engineering in Water Engineering and Management |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Thesis ; no. WM-15-18 |
| Abstract | Glacier and snow play a significant role in the hydrologic regime of Upper Indus basin. Climate change is predicted to effect the snow cover ed area and change the water quantity and timings in future rendering long term water resources management more challenging. This thesis is focused at estimating expected future changes in climatic parameters of the Hunza basin of Karakoram mountainous range , Pakistan . To quantify cha nges in timings of maximum flows under changed climate, and resultantly estimating temporal and spatial change in the streamflow from the basin. Future climate of the basin is predicted by statistical downscaling outputs from one GCM (HADCM - ES for RCP 4.5 and 8.5 ). Results show that temperature and precipitation will both see an increment in future under the scenario s . A temperature index based HBV model is used to simulate basin r unoff from the year 2016 to 2065 . The analysis d uring observed period (2000 - 2 004 ) shows that about half of the annual streamflow in the catchment is add up by snow and ice melt . In terms of percentage contribution, rainfall has come out to be larger factor during summer (April - September) where the average snowmelt is about 660 m 3 /s , which is about 60 % of total water released in river during the season. Along with melt of snow, catchment runoff is also expected to see a positive trend in future. Results of this thesis will provide a benchmark for more in - depth analysis and planning o f sustainable water resources management in the Upper Indu s basin. |
| Year | 2015 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Thesis ; no. WM-15-18 |
| Type | Thesis |
| School | School of Engineering and Technology |
| Department | Department of Civil and Infrastucture Engineering (DCIE) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Water Engineering and Management (WM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Babel, Mukand Singh |
| Examination Committee(s) | Tripathi, Nitin Kumar;Shrestha, Sangam |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Partial AIT Fellowship |
| Degree | Thesis (M. Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2015 |