Morphometric Analysis of Jhelum Basin for Water Management Using Geospatial Tools

Owing to the severity of water crisis worldwide, the countries are looking forward to tackle these crucial issues technically via geospatial approach to ensure long-term benefits within short duration of time. The present chapter focuses on water management in Jhelum River basin of Kashmir, India, by studying the geomorphology and its control on the sediment and water carrying capacity. The morphometric study of Jhelum Basin was carried out (using Survey of India toposheet (1971) with 1:50,000 scale for water resource management, soil conservation, mapping, and prioritization of watershed and land susceptibility. Morphometric analysis refers to the quantitative measurement and analysis of various morphological characteristics or features of a geographical area, such as landforms, river networks, or drainage basins through geospatial tools, including remote sensing and Geographic Information Systems (GIS). Morphometric analysis provided valuable insights into the physical attributes and hydrological properties of the given area, enabling effective water management strategies, land use planning, and environmental assessment. This can help in conservation practices in the study area being prone to erosion and siltation.