Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation to Flow of Swat River and Glaciers in Hindu Kush Ranges, Swat District, Pakistan (2003-2013)

This work aims at the climate change impacts and adaptation to surface flow of Swat river and glacierresources in Swat river catchments area, Hindu Kush ranges, Northwest Pakistan. The data about temperature andprecipitation have been collected from the Pakistan Meteorological Department, Karachi, whereas the Swat River flowdata from the Irrigation Department, Peshawar, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa. Two types of climate that is humid andundifferentiated highlands prevail over the area. The total precipitation recorded has been 41.8inches (1061.7millimeters) with mean monthly precipitation of 3.5 inches (88.9 millimeters) having a decrease of -0.1 inch (-2.8millimeters). The area has been humid during 2004 and currently at the threshold of the sub-humid climates (20-40inches). Kalam valley experiences cold long winters (7 months) and short warm summers (5 months). The meantemperature reveals an increase of 0.90C, maximum temperature 0.40C and mean minimum temperature 0.50Celsius.This increase in the temperature of the area has caused water stress and retreat of glaciers and affected the permafrostcondition at higher altitudes in the area. The annual flow of the Swat river is 192.2 cubic meter/seconds with a declineof -0.03 cubic m/sec from 2003 to 2013. The annual trend of water flow is directly proportional to precipitation andcontrary to maximum temperature during 2003 to 2012 and shows converse condition till 2013. The decrease in theflow of Swat river seems both in winter and summer season. The glaciers and snow covered area of the Kalam valleydecreases with passage of time and required mitigation. The vulnerability of the study area to climate change can beminimized by the construction of small reservoirs, river embankments, improvement in sewerage and sanitation,planning for flood water, and revision of the water management policy, implementation, and establishment of researchand development funds.