Analysis of Climate and Melt-runoff in Dunagiri Glacier of Garhwal Himalaya (India)

The hydrology of high altitude glacierized basin in Himalaya is complex to understand due to high variability in climate and lack of hydro-meteorological data. In this study, analysis of hydrological, glacier ablation and meteorological records have been made for Dunagiri Glacier (similar to 4,200 m) during the melt season (July - September), for the years 1985 and 1987-1989. In the daily cycle of mean diurnal discharge in summer months during 1985-1989, maximum discharge occurred at midnight, and minimum discharge occurred in the morning. Mean daytime and nighttime discharge volume was contributing approximately equal amounts. Such type of analysis will be the basis for designing/developing Run-off-the river type hydroelectric power projects which are heavily dependent on snow and glacier melt in Himalaya. Time series analysis of available hydro-meteorological records have been used to understand governing hydrological processes within the basin and to develop regression model for future development in runoff forecasting using climate data.