Abstract:
The paper introduces Himalayan snow, ice and glacier fields as the tallest water tower of the world having great spatial and temporal variability in microclimatic conditions and specific water yields from the mountainous catchments. The status of glacier inventory as given by various workers has been included pointing out that about 50,000 km2 of glacier area lying in India, Nepal, Bhutan, China and Pakistan, drain into the Indian land mass. Atmospheric circulation and general climatological aspects are outlined including the powerful heating effect of Tibetan Plateau, westerly disturbances, monsoon depression, vertical meridian circulation and local warm islands on each mountain. Hydrological characteristics of the high mountain watersheds are treated in some details with regard to drainage variations from melt-water contributions in space and time domain. Indian contributions to snow and glacier hydrology have been reviewed since 1945 giving the salient findings by various investigators. The research needs have been highlighted for maintaining multidisciplinary thrust in the important fields of snow and glacier hydrology to the nation.
