Research Projects

Glacier meltwater from the Himalaya-Karakoram region is crucial for the livelihoods of over a billion people downstream. However, total glacier mass is declining across the Indian Himalayan region, except in the Karakoram where glaciers remain stable. Ladakh and Nubra valleys house about 30% of the total glacier cover in the HK region, which receives annual precipitation of 200 to 700 mm a-1, with summer rainfall of about 40 mm a-1. Glider behavior in these areas is poorly understood due to limited studies and lack of appropriate glacio-meteorological observations. The mean air temperature in the region has been reported to be rising at a rate of +0.12 to +0.18°C/decade. Current geodetic glacier mass balance estimates are indicative and do not provide a comprehensive assessment. Surface energy and mass balance modelling approach can resolve these concerns by identifying key glacier mass change drivers. This project proposes applying fully distributed physical models, the COupled Snowpack and Ice surface energy and mass balance model in PYthon (COSIPY) and the Spatial Processes in HYdrology (SPHY) model, to simulate glacier mass balance and runoff of Ladakh and Karakoram. The models will be forced with a combination of in-situ measurements of meteorological variables, high-resolution reanalysis, and remote sensing datasets. The proposed glacier modelling will provide a clear picture of regional mass balance changes and trends over the last two decades, as well as a comprehensive understanding of the key atmospheric drivers influencing glacier changes in the region. This will improve our knowledge of regional climate-glacier response across the Indian Himalaya.

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