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<p>Drought events are increasing globally, showing clear connections to climate change and shifts in large-scale atmospheric circulations. In the Himalayan region, rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and glacial melt are disturbing the delicate water balance, heightening vulnerability to drought events. Adequate preparation for future droughts necessitates a thorough comprehension of past drought characteristics and their consequences across different sectors. This study focuses on the Karnali River Basin (KRB) in the central Himalayas of western Nepal, an area significantly impacted by recent drought events. Drought over the past four decades was analyzed in terms of occurrence, severity, and frequency. In addition, the impacts of drought on water resources in the region were also evaluated. Results indicate that droughts have increased in both frequency and intensity, particularly since 2000, significantly affecting water resources. Variations in river flow were directly linked to droughts, the groundwater depletion rate is increasing, and dry spells have extended in some years. These observations not only paint a concern but also provide insight into addressing this pressing climate challenge.</p> Graphical abstract <p></p> <p>This graphical abstract provides a visual summary of the research, highlighting the main findings. It is organized into three linked panels that tell the story from causes to evidence to impacts. The left panel sets the Himalayan context, illustrating how global climate change drives rising temperature, shifting precipitation patterns, and glacial melt together disturbing the region’s water balance and increasing drought vulnerability. The middle panel shows the study area, the Karnali River Basin in western Nepal, and depicts the core approach: statistical analysis of multi-decadal records to quantify drought occurrence, severity, and frequency. A trend graphic emphasizes the key result that drought frequency and intensity have increased, notably since around 2000. The right panel present these changes into water-resource consequences to show drought-linked variation in river flow, increasing groundwater depletion, and extended dry spells in some years. By combining clear visuals with minimal text, the figure communicates both the motivation and the practical relevance of the study provides a quick, visually appealing summary of the research, highlighting the main findings of a scientific paper and giving readers a rapid understanding without requiring them to read the entire manuscript.</p>

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Characterizing Drought and Its Implications for Water Resources in Western Nepal

  • 期刊论文

  • 发表日期：

    2026年5月21日

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  • Piyush Dahal,
  • Aashna Shakya,
  • Jeeban Panthi,
  • Yadu Pokhrel,
  • Dhiraj Pradhananga,
  • Soni M. Pradhanang,
  • Suyog Chaudhari,
  • Madan Lall Shrestha,
  • S. Y. Simon Wang,
  • Binod Pokharel

摘要

Drought events are increasing globally, showing clear connections to climate change and shifts in large-scale atmospheric circulations. In the Himalayan region, rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and glacial melt are disturbing the delicate water balance, heightening vulnerability to drought events. Adequate preparation for future droughts necessitates a thorough comprehension of past drought characteristics and their consequences across different sectors. This study focuses on the Karnali River Basin (KRB) in the central Himalayas of western Nepal, an area significantly impacted by recent drought events. Drought over the past four decades was analyzed in terms of occurrence, severity, and frequency. In addition, the impacts of drought on water resources in the region were also evaluated. Results indicate that droughts have increased in both frequency and intensity, particularly since 2000, significantly affecting water resources. Variations in river flow were directly linked to droughts, the groundwater depletion rate is increasing, and dry spells have extended in some years. These observations not only paint a concern but also provide insight into addressing this pressing climate challenge.

Graphical abstract

This graphical abstract provides a visual summary of the research, highlighting the main findings. It is organized into three linked panels that tell the story from causes to evidence to impacts. The left panel sets the Himalayan context, illustrating how global climate change drives rising temperature, shifting precipitation patterns, and glacial melt together disturbing the region’s water balance and increasing drought vulnerability. The middle panel shows the study area, the Karnali River Basin in western Nepal, and depicts the core approach: statistical analysis of multi-decadal records to quantify drought occurrence, severity, and frequency. A trend graphic emphasizes the key result that drought frequency and intensity have increased, notably since around 2000. The right panel present these changes into water-resource consequences to show drought-linked variation in river flow, increasing groundwater depletion, and extended dry spells in some years. By combining clear visuals with minimal text, the figure communicates both the motivation and the practical relevance of the study provides a quick, visually appealing summary of the research, highlighting the main findings of a scientific paper and giving readers a rapid understanding without requiring them to read the entire manuscript.