Integrated Assessment of Climate Change and Land Use Change Impacts on Hydrology in the Kathmandu Valley Watershed, Central Nepal

A significant increase in river runoff of up to 37% is projected for the Kathmandu Valley (KV) watershed by 2050 under climate change scenarios, with land use/cover changes exacerbating hydrological impacts. Unlike additive effects, integrated changes from both climate and LULC modifications do not simply superimpose; instead, they interact complexly to alter base-flow and annual flow dynamics. The study employed the CLUE-S model for future LULC projections and SWAT for hydrological simulations, incorporating three regional climate models and two RCP scenarios (RCP4.5 and RCP8.5). Findings underscore the need for integrated strategies to mitigate hydrological risks in rapidly urbanizing regions like KV.

Lamichhane, S., & Shakya, N. M. (2019). Integrated Assessment of Climate Change and Land Use Change Impacts on Hydrology in the Kathmandu Valley Watershed, Central Nepal. Water, 11(10), 2059. https://doi.org/10.3390/w11102059