Your search found 7 records
1 Thapa, Bhesh Raj; Ishidaira, H.; Pandey, Vishnu Prasad; Bhandari, T. M.; Shakya, N. M. 2018. Evaluation of water security in Kathmandu Valley before and after water transfer from another basin. Water, 10(2):1-12. [doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/w10020224]
Water security ; Evaluation ; Water supply ; Development projects ; Water transfer ; Drinking water ; Water demand ; Estimation ; Freshwater ; Reservoirs ; Water distribution ; Population growth ; Households ; Valleys ; River basins / Nepal / Kathmandu Valley / Melamchi Water Supply Project
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048978)
(2.98 MB) (2.98 MB)
Kathmandu Upatyaka Khanepani Limited (KUKL) has planned to harness water from outside the valley from Melamchi as an inter-basin project to supply water inside the ring road (core valley area) of the Kathmandu Valley (KV). The project, called the “Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP)”, is expected to have its first phase completed by the end of September 2018 and its second phase completed by the end of 2023 to supply 170 MLD (million liters a day) through the first phase and an additional 340 MLD through the second phase. The area has recently faced a severe water deficit and KUKL’s existing infrastructure has had a limited capability, supplying only 19% of the water that is demanded in its service areas during the dry season and 31% during the wet season. In this context, this study aims to assess the temporal trends and spatial distribution of household water security index (WSI), defined as a ratio of supply to demand for domestic water use for basic human water requirements (50 L per capita per day (lpcd)) and economic growth (135 lpcd) as demand in pre and post-MWSP scenarios. For this purpose, data on water demand and supply with infrastructure were used to map the spatial distribution of WSI and per capita water supply using ArcMap. Results show a severe water insecurity condition in the year 2017 in all KUKL service areas (SAs), which is likely to improve after completion of the MWSP. It is likely that recent distribution network and strategies may lead to inequality in water distribution within the SAs. This can possibly be addressed by expanding existing distribution networks and redistributing potable water, which can serve an additional 1.21 million people in the area. Service providers may have to develop strategies to strengthen a set of measures including improving water supply infrastructures, optimizing water loss, harnessing additional water from hills, and managing water within and outside the KUKL SAs in the long run to cover the entire KV.
2 Pandey, Vishnu Prasad; Dhaubanjar, Sanita; Bharati, Luna; Thapa, Bhesh Raj. 2019. Hydrological response of Chamelia Watershed in Mahakali Basin to climate change. Science of the Total Environment, 650(Part 1):365-383. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.09.053]
Water resources ; Watersheds ; Climate change ; Hydrological factors ; Water availability ; Water balance ; Stream flow ; Groundwater ; Temperature ; Precipitation ; Forecasting ; River basins ; Soil types ; Spatial distribution ; Models ; Uncertainty ; Hydrometeorology / Nepal / Mahakali Basin / Chamelia Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048982)
(6.23 MB)
Chamelia (catchment area = 1603 km2 ), a tributary of Mahakali, is a snow-fed watershed in Western Nepal. The watershed has 14 hydropower projects at various stages of development. This study simulated the current and future hydrological system of Chamelia using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT). The model was calibrated for 2001–2007; validated for 2008–2013; and then applied to assess streamflow response to projected future climate scenarios. Multi-site calibration ensures that the model is capable of reproducing hydrological heterogeneity within the watershed. Current water balance above the Q120 hydrological station in the forms of precipitation, actual evapotranspiration (AET), and net water yield are 2469 mm, 381 mm and 1946 mm, respectively. Outputs of five Regional Climate Models (RCMs) under two representative concentration pathways (RCPs) for three future periods were considered for assessing climate change impacts. An ensemble of bias-corrected RCM projections showed that maximum temperature under RCP4.5 (RCP8.5) scenario for near-, mid-, and far-futures is projected to increase from the baseline by 0.9 °C (1.1 °C), 1.4 °C (2.1 °C), and 1.6 °C (3.4 °C), respectively. Minimum temperature for the same scenarios and future periods are projected to increase by 0.9 °C (1.2 °C), 1.6 °C (2.5 °C), and 2.0 °C (3.9 °C), respectively. Average annual precipitation under RCP4.5 (RCP8.5) scenario for near-, mid-, and far-futures are projected to increase by 10% (11%), 10% (15%), and 13% (15%), respectively. Based on the five RCMs considered, there is a high consensus for increase in temperature but higher uncertainty with respect to precipitations. Under these projected changes, average annual streamflow was simulated to increase gradually from the near to far future under both RCPs; for instance, by 8.2% in near-, 12.2% in mid-, and 15.0% in far-future under RCP4.5 scenarios. The results are useful for planning water infrastructure projects, in Chamelia and throughout the Mahakali basin, to ensure long-term sustainability under climate change.
3 Pandey, Vishnu Prasad; Dhaubanjar, Sanita; Bharati, Luna; Thapa, Bhesh Raj. 2018. Climate change and water availability in western Nepal. In Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST). Proceedings of the Seminar on Nature for Water, Kanchanpur, Nepal, 28 March 2018. Kathmandu, Nepal: Nepal Academy of Science and Technology (NAST) pp.8-19.
Climate change ; Water availability ; Hydrology ; Models ; Watersheds ; Precipitation ; Temperature ; Forecasting ; Water resources ; River basins ; Projects / Nepal / Mahakali Basin / Chamelia Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049463)
http://www.nast.gov.np/documentfile/proceedings_theSeminar_Water.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049463.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049463.pdf
(0.84 MB) (6.21 MB)
The response of any hydrological system to climate change may differ depending on characteristics of the system. Such studies are lacking for basins in Western Nepal. This paper, therefore, argues for a need to re-phrase the context of Western Nepal in more positive light and then analyses how a projected change in climate may impact on water availability of the region with a case of Chamelia watershed. A hydrological model in SWAT (Soil and Water Assessment Tool) environment is developed for the purpose. Future climate is projected using a set of fi ve Regional Circulation Models (RCMs). Then response of streamfl ow with projected change in climate is assessed. Results show the developed model performance is adequate to represent hydrological characteristics of the watershed. Future is projected to be warmer (high model consensus) and slightly wetter (more uncertainty), with winter and premonsoon season receiving more rainfall. Under the projected future changes, simulated stream fl ow is projected to change across future periods and seasons. The results are expected to be useful for future water resource and water infrastructure planning in the area.
4 Thapa, Bhesh Raj; Ishidaira, H.; Gusyev, M.; Pandey, Vishnu Prasad; Udmale, P.; Hayashi, M.; Shakya, N. M. 2019. Implications of the Melamchi water supply project for the Kathmandu Valley groundwater system. Water Policy, 21(S1):120-137. [doi: https://doi.org/10.2166/wp.2019.084]
Water supply ; Groundwater management ; Groundwater flow ; Models ; Groundwater extraction ; Pumping ; Wells ; Water resources ; Water deficit ; Water demand ; Watersheds ; Aquifers ; Valleys / Nepal / Kathmandu Valley / Melamchi Water Supply Project
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049465)
https://iwaponline.com/wp/article-pdf/21/S1/120/632511/021000120.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049465.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049465.pdf
(0.89 MB) (912 KB)
To meet the demand deficit in Kathmandu Valley, the Government of Nepal has planned to supply an additional 510 million liters per day (mld) of water by implementing the Melamchi Water Supply Project (MWSP) in the near future. In this study, we aim to assess the spatial distribution of groundwater availability and pumping under five scenarios for before and after the implementation of the MWSP using a numerical groundwater flow model. The data on water demand, supply infrastructure, changes in hydraulic head, groundwater pumping rates, and aquifer characteristics were analyzed. Results showed that groundwater pumping from individual wells ranges from 0.0018 to 2.8 mld and the average hydraulic head declined from 2.57 m below ground level (bgl) (0.23 m/year) to 21.58 m bgl (1.96 m/year). Model simulations showed that changes in average hydraulic head ranged from þ2.83 m to þ5.48 m at various stages of the MWSP implementation, and 2.97 m for increased pumping rates with no implementation of the MWSP. Regulation in pumping such as monetary instruments (groundwater pricing) on the use of groundwater along with appropriate metering and monitoring of pumping amounts depending on the availability of new and existing public water supply could be interventions in the near future.
5 Bastakoti, Ram; Raut, Manita; Thapa, Bhesh Raj. 2020. Groundwater governance and adoption of solar-powered irrigation pumps: experiences from the eastern Gangetic Plains. Washington, DC, USA: World Bank. 16p. (Water Knowledge Note)
Groundwater irrigation ; Water governance ; Irrigation methods ; Solar energy ; Pumps ; Groundwater extraction ; Water use efficiency ; Water market ; Electricity supplies ; Business models ; Policies ; State intervention ; Water costs ; Subsidies ; Entrepreneurs ; Community involvement ; Farmers' attitudes ; Case studies / Nepal / India / Eastern Gangetic Plains / Ganges Basin / Bihar / West Bengal
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049596)
https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/33245/Groundwater-Governance-and-Adoption-of-Solar-Powered-Irrigation-Pumps-Experiences-from-the-Eastern-Gangetic-Plains.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049596.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049596.pdf
(0.97 MB) (992 KB)
Solar-powered irrigation pumps (SPIPs) have been promoted in the Eastern Gangetic Plains (EGP) in recent decades, but rates of adoption are low. This case study assesses the evidence from several solar pump business models being adopted in parts of the EGP, particularly eastern Nepal and northern India, and explores how different models perform in various contexts. It documents lessons for increasing farmers’ resilience to droughts through better groundwater use by promotion of SPIPs. Groundwater access for agriculture in the past was dependent on diesel and electric pumps, respectively constrained by costs and reliability of energy. Both government and nongovernment agencies have promoted SPIPs in the Ganges basin for irrigation and drinking purposes. SPIPs receive different levels of subsidies across countries and states in the region to facilitate adoption and ensure continuous and timely irrigation, which particularly benefits small and marginal farmers. Because the EGP faces variability in water availability, the SPIPs could help in building drought resilience. However, because low operating costs for SPIPs does little to incentivize farmers to use water efficiently, one critical question is how to balance equitable access to SPIPs while ensuring groundwater overdraft is not perpetuated. Farmers’ awareness of efficient water management options is crucial to avoid overextraction of groundwater.
6 Pandey, Vishnu Prasad; Dhaubanjar, Sanita; Bharati, Luna; Thapa, Bhesh Raj. 2020. Spatio-temporal distribution of water availability in Karnali-Mohana Basin, western Nepal: hydrological model development using multi-site calibration approach (Part-A). Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 29:100690. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2020.100690]
Water availability ; Spatial distribution ; Hydrology ; Models ; Calibration ; River basins ; Water resources ; Precipitation ; Evapotranspiration ; Water yield ; Water balance ; Groundwater ; Land use ; Land cover ; Meteorological stations ; Monsoon climate ; Soil types / Nepal / Karnali-Mohana River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049721)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581820301646/pdfft?md5=982f21101d159ac4aa2a890bfe048505&pid=1-s2.0-S2214581820301646-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049721.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049721.pdf
(4.54 MB) (4.54 MB)
Study region: Karnali-Mohana (KarMo) river basin, Western Nepal.
Study focus: This study has developed a hydrological model using multi-site calibration approach for a large basin, the Karnali-Mohana (KarMo) in Western Nepal, which has a lot of potential for water resources development and contribute to the national prosperity. It further applies the model to characterize hydrology and water resources availability across spatio-temporal scales to enhance understanding on water availability and potential uses. The newly developed hydrological model in Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is capable of reproducing the hydrological pattern, the average flows, and the flow duration curve at the outlet of the basin and five major sub-basins.
New hydrological insights for this region: The model simulated results showed that about 34 % of average annual precipitation in the KarMo basin is lost as evapotranspiration, but with a large spatio-temporal heterogeneity. The Hills and Tarai are relatively wetter than the Mountains. The average annual flow volume at the basin outlet is estimated as 46,250 million-cubic-meters (MCM). The hydrological characterization made in this study are further used for climate change impact assessment (Part-B in the same journal), environmental flows assessment and evaluating trade-offs among various water development pathways, which are published elsewhere. This model, therefore, has potential to contribute for strategic planning and sustainable management of water resources to fuel the country’s prosperity.
Study focus: This study has developed a hydrological model using multi-site calibration approach for a large basin, the Karnali-Mohana (KarMo) in Western Nepal, which has a lot of potential for water resources development and contribute to the national prosperity. It further applies the model to characterize hydrology and water resources availability across spatio-temporal scales to enhance understanding on water availability and potential uses. The newly developed hydrological model in Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) is capable of reproducing the hydrological pattern, the average flows, and the flow duration curve at the outlet of the basin and five major sub-basins.
New hydrological insights for this region: The model simulated results showed that about 34 % of average annual precipitation in the KarMo basin is lost as evapotranspiration, but with a large spatio-temporal heterogeneity. The Hills and Tarai are relatively wetter than the Mountains. The average annual flow volume at the basin outlet is estimated as 46,250 million-cubic-meters (MCM). The hydrological characterization made in this study are further used for climate change impact assessment (Part-B in the same journal), environmental flows assessment and evaluating trade-offs among various water development pathways, which are published elsewhere. This model, therefore, has potential to contribute for strategic planning and sustainable management of water resources to fuel the country’s prosperity.
7 Pandey, Vishnu Prasad; Dhaubanjar, Sanita; Bharati, Luna; Thapa, Bhesh Raj. 2020. Spatio-temporal distribution of water availability in Karnali-Mohana Basin, western Nepal: climate change impact assessment (Part-B). Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies, 29:100691. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2020.100691]
Water availability ; Spatial distribution ; River basins ; Climate change ; Impact assessment ; Forecasting ; Water resources ; Hydrology ; Models ; Precipitation ; Temperature ; Monsoon climate ; Meteorological stations / Nepal / Karnali-Mohana River Basin / Bheri River Basin / Seti River Basin / Tila River Basin
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049744)
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581820301658/pdfft?md5=ff42bea00d5ed47036d646dc01e141b2&pid=1-s2.0-S2214581820301658-main.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049744.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049744.pdf
(4.12 MB) (4.12 MB)
Study region: Karnali-Mohana river basin, Western Nepal.
Study focus: This study aims to project future climate and assess impacts of climate change (CC) on water availability in the Karnali-Mohana (KarMo) basin. Bias-corrected future climate was projected based on ensembles of multiple models selected from a set of 19 regional climate models (RCMs). The impacts on water availability were then assessed by forcing a well calibrated and validated hydrological model with projected future precipitation (P) and temperature (T) for various climatic scenarios.
New hydrological insights for this region: Results showed that future T is projected to increase spatio-temporally with higher rate for the mountain stations in the winter season; whereas future P has no distinct spatio-temporal trend but increase in dry season precipitation for future periods. The projected changes in P, T and evapotranspiration are expected to alter average annual flow at the outlets of the KarMo and its sub-basins, albeit with varying rate. The simulated results showed higher impacts in water availability at higher altitudes, thus indicating higher vulnerability of northern mountainous region to CC than the southern flatlands. Being the first ever study of such nature in the study area, these results will be useful for planning and development of climate-resilient water development projects in the region.
Study focus: This study aims to project future climate and assess impacts of climate change (CC) on water availability in the Karnali-Mohana (KarMo) basin. Bias-corrected future climate was projected based on ensembles of multiple models selected from a set of 19 regional climate models (RCMs). The impacts on water availability were then assessed by forcing a well calibrated and validated hydrological model with projected future precipitation (P) and temperature (T) for various climatic scenarios.
New hydrological insights for this region: Results showed that future T is projected to increase spatio-temporally with higher rate for the mountain stations in the winter season; whereas future P has no distinct spatio-temporal trend but increase in dry season precipitation for future periods. The projected changes in P, T and evapotranspiration are expected to alter average annual flow at the outlets of the KarMo and its sub-basins, albeit with varying rate. The simulated results showed higher impacts in water availability at higher altitudes, thus indicating higher vulnerability of northern mountainous region to CC than the southern flatlands. Being the first ever study of such nature in the study area, these results will be useful for planning and development of climate-resilient water development projects in the region.
Powered by DB/Text WebPublisher, from
