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Climate change is significantly transforming the environmental demands within the Ganga Basin. This study employs the Budyko curve framework as its core methodology to investigate the intricate interplay between Earth's atmosphere and the basin's water cycle. This framework, considering key factors like the Aridity Index and the Evaporative Index, facilitates analysis of changing temperature and precipitation patterns across space and time. Deviations from the Budyko curve, caused by factors like rising temperatures, can signal disruptions in the water balance. Moreover, analyzing the components of evapotranspiration (ET Blue from surface water and ET Green from soil moisture) within the Budyko framework provides insights into how these changing patterns affect water usage.
The study reveals complex precipitation patterns across the Ganga Basin, with both increase and decrease in rainfall observed in various regions. Similarly, temperature exhibits spatial and temporal variations, influencing evapotranspiration rates. During droughts, agricultural areas see a rise in blue water evaporation, highlighting the stress placed on water resources. In conclusion, the Ganga Basin's water cycle is undergoing dynamic changes due to spatially variable precipitation, fluctuating temperatures, and agricultural practices that intensify blue water evaporation during droughts. This study's findings, based on the Budyko curve framework, offer valuable knowledge for managing the basin's water resources under the duress of climate change.
Keywords:
Budyko framework
Evaporative Water Demand
ET Green
ET Blue
Aridity Index
Evaporative Index
