Global warming may leave Uttarakhand's Kosi basin with less water: Study

ROORKEE: Climate change could leave Uttarakhand's Kosi river basin with less usable water despite an expected increase in rainfall, a study by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee has warned.Researchers found that higher temperatures would cause more water to evaporate and reduce groundwater recharge, leaving less water for farming, drinking and mountain ecosystems.The study, carried out with GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment, was published in the journal 'Theoretical and Applied Climatology'.Kosi river basin spans nearly 3,420sqkm across Kumaon region, supporting thousands of people through local agriculture and mountain springs.While overall rainfall in the region is projected to increase, researchers found it will not boost water supplies. Instead, soaring temperatures will cause water to evaporate much faster.Peak temperatures, which currently average around 38.4°C, could climb to 41.6°C under a moderate emissions scenario and nearly 43.2°C by the end of the century. Because of this intense heat, the total amount of usable water in the basin could drop by 4% to 7%, the researchers found.Kamal Kishore Pant, director, IIT Roorkee, said climate change poses a major threat to mountain water security.The authors said measures such as watershed management, spring rejuvenation, groundwater recharge, and soil and water conservation could help reduce impact of climate change on the basin.