A time series assessment of terrestrial water storage and its relationship with hydro-meteorological factors in Gilgit-Baltistan region using GRACE observation and GLDAS-Noah model

Abstract Mountains regions like Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) province of Pakistan are solely dependent on seasonal snow and glacier melt. In Indus basin which forms in GB, there is a need to manage water sustainable way for the livelihood economic activities downstream population. It important monitor resources that include glaciers, snow-covered area, lakes, etc., besides traditional hydrological (point-based measurements by using gauging station) remote sensing-based studies (traditional satellite-based observations provide terrestrial storage (TWS) change within few centimeters from earth’s surface); TWS anomalies (TWSA) GB region not investigated. this study, TWSA considered period 13 years (from January 2003 December 2016). Gravity Recovery Climate Experiment (GRACE) level 2 monthly data three processing centers, namely Centre Space Research (CSR), German Center Geosciences (GFZ), Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), System Global Land Data Assimilation (GLDAS)-driven Noah model, situ precipitation weather stations, were used study investigation. GRACE can help forecast possible trends increasing or decreasing with high accuracy as compared past studies, do use satellite gravity data. Our results indicate shows trend estimated (CSR, GFZ, JPL) GLDAS-Noah but significant statistically. The annual amplitude greater than signal. Mean analysis indicates reaches its maximum April, while it minimum October. Furthermore, Spearman’s rank correlation determined between precipitation, soil moisture (SM) equivalent (SWE). We also assess factors, SM SWE most efficient parameters producing signal area. future, our support more be helpful conservation natural flood hazards, droughts, distribution mountain regions.