Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences
Title : | The role of extreme weather events and patterns in shaping vadose zone hydrology in snow dominated catchments" |
Area of research : | Earth, Atmosphere & Environment Sciences |
Focus area : | Hydrology |
Principal Investigator : | Dr. sarah, Kashmir University, srinagar, jammu & Kashmir |
Timeline Start Year : | 2024 |
Timeline End Year : | 2027 |
Contact info : | sarahqazi5@gmail.com |
Details
Executive Summary : | With the rise in temperature and a shift from snow to rain precipitation, the subsurface may become a critical water storage location for plants during periods of seasonal dryness and recharge processes. Hence, more accurate estimations of subsurface runoff can provide clarity on the subsurface's potential role as a reservoir. According to different climatic projections, heat waves with magnitudes greater than 9 will affect over 70% of India's land area. The vadose zone is likely to be affected by changes in precipitation patterns and snowmelt dynamics in mountainous regions. These altered dynamics can have significant impacts on the water resources of snow-dominated catchments. Although there are many studies available on climate change impacts on water resources, groundwater, etc. there is no improved understanding (Particularly from India) in certain research areas like the mechanisms and the conditions under which, water distribution is changing vadose zone. The vadose zone soil moisture content has a huge impact on the recharge mechanism of the saturated zone. Therefore, understanding the vadose zone hydrodynamics and implications of extreme weather patterns in the form of heat waves, and snow droughts is of utmost importance to predict and manage water resources under the changing climate. In this proposal, we propose to focus on the impacts of extreme weather patterns like heat waves and snow droughts on how changes in temperature, precipitation, and extreme weather events are affecting the movement, fate of water, water distribution, and redistribution in the vadose zone. The project propose to use integrated methods such as geophysical techniques, in-situ instrumentation, stable isotopes of water and carbon, and infiltrating water hydrochemistry to carry out this research. Therefore, this study will generate comprehensive knowledge about the impacts of extreme weather patterns on the Vadose zone. The knowledge generated in the form of research publications and technical reports as well as data will add to the global database on the Vadose zone in high-altitude catchments from India. Furthermore, this study will also contribute to the (UN- sustainable development Goal - 6 focusing on the sustainability of water resources. |
Co-PI: | Dr. Reyaz Ahmad Dar, Kashmir University, srinagar, jammu & Kashmir, Dr. Tanvi Arora, CsIR- National Geophysical Research Institute, Hyderabad, Telangana |
Total Budget (INR): | 48,77,720 |
Organizations involved