1st Edition

Climate Change and Water Resources in South Asia

Edited By M. Monirul Qader Mirza, Q.K Ahmad Copyright 2005

    This book addresses the most pressing water resource issues in South Asia, particularly in relation to climate change and variability. This is a region characterised by abundant water during the monsoon, when devastating floods occur, and by scarcity of water and droughts during the dry period. These extreme events often cause substantial damage to infrastructure, property, livestock and human populations. Agriculture and other key economic sectors suffer greatly during these events. The results of climate and hydrologic models indicate increased vulnerability unless adequate adaptation measures are designed and implemented.  Such policies need to rely on a framework that includes active participation of the stakeholders.

    Table of Contents

    Foreword R. K. Pachauri xi

    Foreword Don MacIver xiii

    Preface xv

    About the Editors xix

    About the Authors xxi

    Acronyms xxiii

    1

    CLIMATE CHANGE AND WATER RESOURCES IN SOUTH ASIA: AN

    INTRODUCTION

    M. Monirul Qader Mirza

    Q. K. Ahmad

    1.1 Introduction 1

    1.2 Water Availability and Demand in South Asia 2

    1.3 Climate Change and Water Resources 8

    1.4 Climate Change and Future Water Challenges 8

    2

    HYDROLOGIC MODELING APPROACHES FOR CLIMATE IMPACT

    ASSESSMENT IN SOUTH ASIA

    M. Monirul Qader Mirza

    2.1 Introduction 23

    2.2 Hydrologic Models 23

    2.3 Advantages and Limitations of Hydrologic Models in Climate

    Change Application 32

    2.4 Application of Hydrologic Models for Climate Change Impact

    Assessment in Bangladesh 35

    2.5 Application of Hydrologic Model in India 45

    2.6 Application of Models in Pakistan 46

    2.7 Summary and Concluding Remarks 48

    Biography

    M. Monirul Qader Mirza, Q.K Ahmad