Abstract:
Estimates of trends of climatic changes at basin and state scales are required for developing
adaptation strategies related to planning, development and management of water resources. In the present
study, seasonal and annual trends of changes in maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum temperature (Tmin),
mean temperature (Tmean), temperature range (Trange), highest maximum temperature (Hmax) and lowest
minimum temperature (Lmin) have been examined at the basin scale. The longest available records over the
last century, for 43 stations covering nine river basins in northwest and central India, were used in the
analysis. Of the nine river basins studied, seven showed a warming trend, whereas two showed a cooling
trend. The Narmada and Sabarmati river basins experienced the maximum warming and cooling,
respectively. The majority of basins in the study area show increasing trend in Trange, Hmax and Lmin. Seasonal
analysis of different variables shows that the greatest changes in Tmax and Tmean were observed in the postmonsoon
season, while Tmin experienced the greatest change in the monsoon season. This analysis provides
scenarios of temperature changes which may be used for sensitivity analysis of water availability for
different basins, and accordingly in planning and implementation of adaptation strategies.
