Climate Change, Population Increases Predicted To Make Water Scarce In Himalayas

By on November 4, 2015
Mount Everest, part of the Himalayan Mountains. (Credit: Luca Galuzzi/CC BY 3.0)

Mount Everest, part of the Himalayan Mountains. (Credit: Luca Galuzzi/CC BY 3.0)


Scientists predict that water will become more restricted in the Himalayan Mountain basin region due to factors such as climate change, increasing use of agricultural lands and growing populations, according to a release from Baylor University. The water shortages are expected to become especially severe during seasonal low-flows that are projected to become lower than in the past.

Researchers used the Soil and Water Assessment Tool, a complex modeling tool utilizing topographical, meteorological, land use and soil data in the Himalayan Mountain basin to estimate future water flow from streams and snowmelt, along with effects of climate change.

The results highlight the role of geography on the effects of climate change, especially with respect to soil erosion and water flow in the rough terrain of mountainous Nepal. The study also highlights the importance of good land management practices, especially critical in the Himalayan Mountain basin since availability of resources such as food are already limited.

Top image: Mount Everest, part of the Himalayan Mountains. (Credit: Luca Galuzzi/CC BY 3.0)

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

FishSens SondeCAM HD