Hazards and risks posed by climate change on cryosphere and hydrology of Narayani Basin

Agenda

About the workshop

ICIMOD is organising a provincial capacity building workshop bringing together key stakeholders to build in-depth understanding of the local consequences of basin-scale climate risks and to train participants with essential skills to adopt the Climate Resilient Hydropower Guidelines.

Action Area A: Managing cryosphere and water risks within Strategic Group 1: Reducing Climate and Environment Risks at ICIMOD is implementing the project titled ‘Generation of evidence and knowledge on the basin-scale climate and environmental risks to the hydropower sector in Nepal’ (GEM-Nepal).

Under this project, ICIMOD is also partnering with the Water and Energy Secretariat (WECS) to assess hydropower risks from cryosphere, water, and climate hazards and develop Nepal’s Climate Resilient Hydropower Guidelines. This project aims to generate evidence and knowledge to strengthen hydropower management and mountain economies in Nepal. It will also build capacity for climate risk assessment in renewable energy infrastructure, focusing on hydropower planning and development.

Objectives

• Provide basin-scale overview of generation of evidence and knowledge on climate and environmental risks related to cryosphere change in the Narayani Basin
• Disseminate information related to the newly developed Climate Resilient Hydropower Guidelines
• Introduce participants to the tools and methodologies to assess hazards related to cryosphere and water changes
• Inform and educate participants with the knowledge and skills to address local implications of climate risks within the larger basin context

Background

The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region hosts a vast extent of cryosphere components, including glaciers and often associated glacial lakes, snow cover and permafrost. These components are vital in sustaining the freshwater resources of ten major Asian river systems and contribute to water resources for river basins where nearly two billion people live, and support biodiversity. However, the region is facing an unprecedented challenge due to climate change, shown by rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns that are rapidly reshaping the status and extent of these cryosphere components. These changes in the cryosphere escalate the hazards and risks for downstream communities, their livelihoods, and infrastructures.

ICIMOD collaborates with relevant agencies of the Government of Nepal, local authorities, and communities to understand the risks associated with changes in the cryosphere and water availability. Through knowledge generation and evidence gathering, ICIMOD enhances understanding of hazards associated with snowmelt, retreating glaciers, thawing permafrost, and more frequent glacial lake outburst floods. This understanding is useful for assessments of potential risks related to energy infrastructure (e.g. hydropower) and design and implementation of adaptation plans at both national and local scales.