Climate-change impact assessment using GIS-based hydrological modelling

A GIS-based Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model is used to assess the impacts of climate change on the hydrological regime of the Cauvery river basin. First, the impact of changes in land-management practices on water availability under present conditions is modelled. Then, the same analysis is carried out under the future climatic scenarios. Finally, annual and monthly precipitation variability is compared under present, as well as future, climate-change scenarios. The results indicate an intensification of the hydrological cycle in the future climate-change scenario that appears to be significant on an annual basis.