Challenges in Understanding the Variability of the Cryosphere in the Himalaya and Its Impact on Regional Water Resources

The Himalaya plays a vital role in regulating the freshwater availability for nearly billion people living Indus, Ganga, and Brahmaputra River basins. Due to climate change constantly evolving human-hydrosphere interactions, including land use/cover changes, groundwater extraction, reservoir or dam construction, water has undergone significant change, is expected further future. Therefore, understanding spatiotemporal evolution of hydrological cycle over its river basins been one most critical exercises toward ensuring regional security. However, due lack extensive in-situ measurements, complex hydro-climatic environment, limited collaborative efforts, large gaps our exist. Moreover, there are several issues with available studies, such as consistent hydro-meteorological datasets, very few attempts at integrating different data types, sampling open access poorly accounted anthropogenic feedbacks, drivers region. These factors result uncertainties estimates current future Himalaya, which constraints development sustainable management strategies catchments hampering preparedness changes hydro-climate. To address these issues, partnership workshop entitled “Water sEcurity assessment rIvers oriGinating from (WEIGH),” was conducted between 07th 11th September 2020. Based on intense discussions deliberations among participants, important urgent research questions were identified. This white paper synthesizes understanding, highlights, priorities studying Himalaya.