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**The Hindu: Climate Change Alters Water Flow from Gangotri Glacier, Study Finds**

**August 31, 2025, 02:27 AM IST**

**NEW DELHI:** A recent study published in the Journal of the Indian Society of Remote Sensing reveals significant changes in the water discharge patterns of the Gangotri Glacier System (GGS), the vital source of the Ganga River. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Indore, US Universities and the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development have reconstructed the long-term discharge trend using advanced hydrological models and data analysis.

The study, spanning 1980-2020, shows that while maximum discharge still occurs during summer months, peaking in July, the overall contribution from different sources has shifted. Snow melt remains the primary contributor (64%), followed by glacier melt (21%), rainfall-runoff (11%) and base flow (4%). However, a significant shift in the discharge peak from August to July has been observed since 1990, attributed to decreased winter precipitation and accelerated melting in early summer.

The decadal analysis also revealed the highest volumetric increase of 7.8% from 1991–2000 to 2001–2010. Although annual temperatures have risen, researchers found no significant trend in mean annual precipitation or glacier melt. Paradoxically, snow melt declined, linked to a shrinking snow cover area, while rainfall-runoff and base flow have increased. Statistical analysis indicates that summer precipitation is the primary driver of the annual discharge, followed by winter temperatures.

The researchers utilized a high-resolution glacio-hydrological model (SPHY) and the Indian Monsoon Data Assimilation and Analysis (IMDAA) dataset to reconstruct the discharge trend of the GGS which comprises the glaciers Meru, Raktavaran, Chaturangi and the largest glacier Gangotri.

The findings highlight the complex impact of climate change on the Himalayan cryosphere and its effect on water resources. With North India experiencing unusually intense monsoon seasons in recent years and frequent flooding, this study underscores the urgent need for continuous monitoring and improved water resource management strategies in glacier-fed river basins. It is crucial to develop a scientific basis to differentiate between these events and other climate change implications. The study emphasizes the necessity of continued field monitoring and modelling efforts to enhance water resource management strategies in glacier-fed river basins.

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