Assessment of changing water availability in Kosi basin (Nepal and Tibetan region)
Student name: Ms Neha Khandekar
Guide: Dr Bakim Chandra Oinam
Year of completion: 2012
Host Organisation: International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), Kathmandu, Nepal
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Dr Arun B. Shrestha
Abstract: As water resources become further stressed due to various drivers like
increasing demand, understanding the basic hydrologic dynamics and key
factors governing the water availability is of strategic importance in
management of the river basin. But, simulation becomes challenging for a
complex watershed with high degree of variability in topography and climatic
conditions. In this study, an attempt has been made to do hydrologic modelling
for Nepal and Tibetan region of the Kosi river basin for the period 2000-2010.
This was done using SWAT model (version 2009.93.7b) and ArcGIS (version9.3)
as a graphical user interface. The model was calibrated for the period of2002-
2007 using observed daily river discharge data. Results show that the observed
and simulated streamflow matches quite well on a daily basis. Thus, SWAT
model proves its ability to simulate such a complex terrain. Also further the
model could be used to do forecasting using long term data availability and
hence identify probable vulnerable areas prone to water stress.
Keywords: Hydrologic model, SWAT, climate data, subbasin, watershed,
simulation
