Hydrological challenges in the Cauvery River basin, South India
Abstract: Hydrology in the Cauvery River basin reflects the physics of the Indian Summer Monsoon. Optimal management of the water resources is a permanent challenge due to the natural variability in the monsoon system. Global warming affects precipitation and evapotranspiration, but the coupling to...
Guardado en:
| Publicado en: | URI:https://journals.openedition.org/siecles, |
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| Autor principal: | |
| Formato: | Article ou chapitre numérique |
| Lenguaje: | Anglais |
| Publicado: |
Siècles
2023
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM Accès Université d'Orléans et IFPM |
| Sumario: | Abstract: Hydrology in the Cauvery River basin reflects the physics of the Indian Summer Monsoon. Optimal management of the water resources is a permanent challenge due to the natural variability in the monsoon system. Global warming affects precipitation and evapotranspiration, but the coupling to the variability of the climate system is still a matter of debate. These natural challenges have been augmented by an increasing demand for water due to a growing population. Upstream and downstream conflicts of interest add to these challenges. In the Cauvery River basin, these conflicts of interests were expressed in the dispute between Karnataka - the upstream state, and Tamil Nadu - the downstream state. A brief review of these challenges is given in this article with emphasis on the principal challenge in hydrology, namely quantification and management of the water balance. Essentially, runoff defines the upper limit for human water consumption. In periods with water deficit, groundwater storage serves as a buffer. Overexploitation of groundwater results in a declining water table. A permanent lowering of the groundwater level has unfavorable side effects: shallow wells dry out, and more power is required to pump water from deeper boreholes. More serious impacts are degradation of groundwater quality and reduced baseflow to streams and rivers. To illustrate some principal dilemmas regarding management of water resources, a summary is given of the main arguments in the water dispute between the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. |
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