I-9-Climate Change and its Impact on Water Resources - A Case Study.

Abstract

Climate change holds the potential to cause significant alterations in the water cycle which is a fundamental determinant of climate. Very little water availability results in droughts whereas too much water may result in floods and polluted water leads to problems with its quality concern. It is predicted that in future climate change is likely to increase both the number and magnitude of hydrological extremes. Successful strategies towards water resources management that are required to successfully adapt to the impacts and challenges associated with climate change are yet to be evolved. The water use and supply patterns are based on the Hydrometeorological conditions. Traditionally, the design of water management systems has been based on historical climate and hydrological data, assuming stationarity of weather and water system behaviour. However, hydrological variations is driven by dynamics in the climate and the climate changes forecasted no longer allow such assumptions, and historical data are no longer adequate to meaningfully plan for variability and extremes. Chandigarh was planned for a population of half-a-million. In Phase I, 36 sq km of land was acquired by the city administration for construction of 30 sectors. Land for seventeen additional sectors (Sector 31 to 47) was acquired and developed during the second phase to cater for a population of 350,000. However, Chandigarh has now grown beyond its planned capacity. Hence, development in the third phase has started in sectors 48 and beyond. Demographic data indicate that between 1961 and 1971, the population increased by 144.59 percent, one of the highest for urban areas in India. Chandigarh's Population was 12.97 lakh in 2009 and for this population the water requirement of the city for drinking and domestic purposes is 452.77 MLD (Million liters per day) water, whereas available supply is only 396.72 MLD. Thus there is a shortage of about 56.05 MLD. The projected water demand for the city for 2025 is 800.75 MLD and estimated supply would be 469.98 MLD. Thus leaving a gap of 331.07 MLD (CGWB,2011). Due to the increase in population and urbanization the pressure on cities water resources is ever increasing. The nature of water availability is shaped by the climate variability and climate change, thus, water resources management is going to be complex and different in future. Both mitigation and adaptation measures are presented to tackle the climate change problem.