The Impact of Climate Change on the Indus Basin: Challenges and Constraints

The Indus River Basin is a significant transboundary river system that is one of the largest in Asia in terms of volumetric flow and which feeds irrigation and hydropower systems in Afghanistan, India, and Pakistan. This also makes the Indus River Basin politically significant. The physiography, river networks, and climate of the Indus River Basin area are explored in detail. The twin challenges of population growth and climate change are outlined. Population growth will drive demand for more hydropower; climate change will lead to more intense and more frequent flood events, including riverine and urban flooding, GLOFs, and hill torrents. The impact of climate change on precipitation and flows, together with the rise in temperature, could adversely affect agriculture, human health, ecosystem, soil erosion, energy consumption, water use, infrastructure, and agriculture. A comprehensive list of these major threats from climate change are given, followed by a thorough discussion of adaptation measures and policy options to mitigate these effects.