Himalayan Hydroclimatology Impact Research Lab 

Hydrological extremes are globally important natural hazards. The increase in the number of events in the last few decades has motivated the research of the spatiotemporal variability of the future extreme events like floods and drought. Data related to extreme weather events in India between January 1 and September 30 2022, as maintained by the IMD and the Disaster Management Division (DMD) under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs revealed that as many as 2,755 people lost their lives to such extreme weather events across India with Himachal Pradesh saw the highest number of human deaths, at 359. Overall, extreme weather events affected 1.8 million hectares of crop area, destroyed over 4 lakh houses and killed almost 70,000 livestock.

One of the main challenges in predicting and managing floods and droughts is the complexity and variability of the factors that contribute to these extreme events. These factors include meteorological, hydrological, and climatological processes that operate at different scales, including regional and global. In addition, these processes are often influenced by human activities such as land use and resource management, which can further increase the uncertainty of predictions.

Given the complexity of the processes involved and the potential consequences of these extreme events, it is essential to develop improved prediction and management models that can provide more accurate and timely information about the likelihood and impacts of floods and droughts. 

One common approach for predicting hydroclimatological extremes is the use of coupled atmospheric-hydrological modelling, which involves simulating simulation of atmospheric processes such as temperature, pressure, and humidity along with the movement and behaviour of water on and below the surface. This can include the prediction of river flow, groundwater recharge, and the impacts of land use and resource management on water availability.

By combining these traditional process-based modelling approaches with AI and deep learning techniques, it is possible to improve the accuracy and reliability of predictions about the occurrence and impacts of floods and droughts. This can ultimately help to better inform decision-making and risk management strategies, and reduce the negative impacts of these extreme events on communities and critical infrastructure.

 Research Objectives

1. Development of reliable atmospheric model, hydrological model and hydrodynamic model parameterization for accurate simulations of hydroclimatic fluxes.

2. To develop a robust hydrologic decision support system for predicting and managing extreme events using novel frameworks which use combinations of process based modelling and deep learning.

3. To Analyse the long term impacts of climate change on local Himalayan communities and development of better adaptation strategies that better suit local conditions.

• On June 4 and June 5, Dr. Vivek Gupta , team leader, accompanied by Sweta Garg, a Junior Research Fellow at HIMPACT Lab, and Salil, an MS scholar in the lab, along with Hitesh, the lab assistant, conducted fieldwork and collected water quality samples in the Beas Basin. This activity is part of a project funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.

• On May 30th, @Saran_raaj29, a PhD scholar in the HIMAPCT Lab, presented his research work at the annual JpGU 2024 in Chiba, Japan. He presented his work on the title Optimizing the accuracy of peak flow prediction by using the SWAT model with machine learning techniques

• On May 21st, Siddik Barbhuiya , a PhD scholar in the HIMAPCT Lab, presented his progress on the APN project at the second workshop organized by Nepal Engineering College. The work involved the analysis of hydroclimatic extremes in the Hindu Kush region. The event was held at ICIMOD Nepal.

• On May 15, 16, 19, and 20, Ashish Pathania and Saran Raaj assisted the Jal Shakti Department with the NDB-funded Himachal Pradesh Rural Water Supply Project.

We are excited to offer opportunities for PhD and Master's students, as well as internships, in our dynamic research lab specializing in hydrology, with a focus on extreme events, hydrological modeling, AI applications in water resources, and the impacts of climate change. If you are passionate about advancing your academic career and contributing to groundbreaking research in these critical areas, we encourage you to apply.

Opportunities Available:

• PhD Positions: Dive deep into research and contribute to innovative projects in your field of study, exploring complex hydrological phenomena, the development of new modeling techniques, and the effects of climate change on water systems.

• Master's Positions: Enhance your skills and knowledge through intensive research and practical applications, particularly in the use of AI to address water-related challenges and climate change adaptation.

• Internships: Gain valuable hands-on experience that complements your academic learning, with a focus on real-world problems in hydrology and climate resilience.

How to Apply:

If you are eager to contribute to pioneering research, please fill out the application form available at Form . We are excited to explore how your skills and enthusiasm can enhance our team. We look forward to hearing from you!