Himalayan snowmelt crucial for hydropower and irrigation sustainability.
The researchers studied how snowmelt contributes to the flow of rivers in the Himalayas, which is crucial for hydropower and irrigation. They looked at how snow cover affects water yield in different catchments and developed models to predict snowmelt patterns. The study found that snowmelt makes up a significant portion of annual river flow, with up to 70% coming from snowmelt in some areas. By using hydrologic models, researchers can forecast snowmelt and manage water resources more effectively. The Snowmelt-Runoff Model was found to be useful for predicting daily river discharges during the snowmelt season.