Publications by authors named "Virendra Padhya"
Upper Indus Basin (UIB), being climatologically sensitive and socio-economically important, has emerged as a hotspot for eco-hydrological studies. Permafrost, one of the essential components of the regional hydrological cycle with a critical role in microclimate, is also an important water resource in the UIB. Despite being an important component of the cryospheric system, permafrost is least studied in the UIB.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn the Himalayas, the lives and livelihoods of millions of people are sustained by water resources primarily depending on the moisture brought by Western Disturbances and Indian Summer Monsoon. In the present study, a network of 12 precipitation stations was established across the Kashmir Valley to understand the spatial and meteorological factors controlling precipitation isotopes. Temperature and relative humidity are dominant meteorological factors, whereas altitude, proximity to forest canopy, land use/land cover, windward and leeward sides of the mountains are the main physical factors influencing precipitation isotopes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMoisture recycling in precipitation is an important hydrological process, accounting for ~ 67% globally. North-east India, home to the world's wettest place, boasts vast wetlands and forest-cover. Despite its proximity to the coast, we find locally recycled moisture to be the primary annual source of rainfall (~ 45%).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFStable water isotopes in ground-level vapour are key to estimating water exchange between geospheres. Their sampling, however, is limited to laser-absorption spectrometers and satellite observations, having inherent shortcomings. This study investigates diffusive kinetic fractionation during liquid condensation under supersaturated environment, providing a cost-effective, reliable way of sampling ground-level vapour isotopes (O, H).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- A reliable water supply in the Himalayan River basins is crucial for people’s domestic needs, agriculture, and hydropower, but climate change threatens this resource, especially for 237 million in the Indus River Basin.
- This study used stable water isotope data to analyze streamflow sources in the Upper Indus River Basin, finding significant spatial and temporal variability influenced by local climate and geographical factors.
- Results indicated that snowmelt contributes more significantly to rivers like the Indus and Shyok, whereas glacier melt is more dominant in the Nubra and Suru sub-basins; groundwater plays a critical role in maintaining streamflow during drier seasons.
Impact of Indian summer monsoon in westerly dominated water resources of western Himalayas.
Isotopes Environ Health Stud
March 2022
Article Synopsis
- Researchers used stable water isotopes to analyze how seasonal precipitation affects the water sources in the Sindh and Rambiara catchments of the western Himalayas.
- They found that western disturbances contribute about 76% to regional hydrology, while Indian summer monsoon rainfall contributes 24%, with groundwater primarily sourced from western disturbances.
- The study revealed significant differences in groundwater residence times between catchments and highlighted the effects of snowmelt on river water, providing insights for better water resource management amid climate change.