Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation to Flow of Swat River and Glaciers in Hindu Kush Ranges, Swat District, Pakistan (2003-2013)

• Main Authors: Saifullah Khan, Mahmood-Ul-Hasan
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Society of Economic Geologists and Mineral Technologists 2016
• Subjects: Precipitation; temperature; water resources; glaciers; permafrost; adaptation; Geology; QE1-996.5
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/8dab2dc134e842eeab73607456fb740d

This work aims at the climate change impacts and adaptation to surface flow of Swat river and glacier resources in Swat river catchments area, Hindu Kush ranges, Northwest Pakistan. The data about temperature and precipitation have been collected from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Karachi, whereas the Swat River flow data from the Irrigation Department, Peshawar, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. Two types of climate that is humid and undifferentiated highlands prevail over the area. The total precipitation recorded has been 41.8inches (1061.7 millimeters) with mean monthly precipitation of 3.5 inches (88.9 millimeters) having a decrease of -0.1 inch (-2.8 millimeters). The area has been humid during 2004 and currently at the threshold of the sub-humid climates (20-40 inches). Kalam valley experiences cold long winters (7 months) and short warm summers (5 months). The mean temperature reveals an increase of 0.90C, maximum temperature 0.40C and mean minimum temperature 0.50Celsius. This increase in the temperature of the area has caused water stress and retreat of glaciers and affected the permafrost condition at higher altitudes in the area. The annual flow of the Swat river is 192.2 cubic meter/seconds with a decline of -0.03 cubic m/sec from 2003 to 2013. The annual trend of water flow is directly proportional to precipitation and contrary to maximum temperature during 2003 to 2012 and shows converse condition till 2013. The decrease in the flow of Swat river seems both in winter and summer season. The glaciers and snow covered area of the Kalam valley decreases with passage of time and required mitigation. The vulnerability of the study area to climate change can be minimized by the construction of small reservoirs, river embankments, improvement in sewerage and sanitation, planning for flood water, and revision of the water management policy, implementation, and establishment of research and development funds.