Water stress exacerbated by altered flow pathways in the Tibetan plateau: A critical analysis

Abstract

Tibetan Plateau (TP), bordering major freshwater reservoirs in Asia, is facing rapid climate warming, which could significantly alter the subsurface hydrological processes that concurrently reduce regional terrestrial water storage (TWS). The present study posits a critical analysis and discussion over the impact of climate change-driven altered water flow pathways that exacerbate water stress conditions in TP. Subsequently, the variability in precipitation patterns, glacier and snow cover expansion, surface and subsurface water dynamics of TP is analyzed and discussed. The changes in TWS components that derive water stress conditions in TP are comprehensively discussed. Furthermore, key challenges, perspectives, and future research trends are explored to develop potential mitigation measures. The results reveal that precipitation has apparently decreased in the southeast TP and contrarily increased in the headwater region of Yellow River. The solid water (snow and glaciers) melting and permafrost thawing have irreversibly declined, leading to significant changes in the stream flow of major river basins in time and space since 1998. Currently,the outer area of Yellow, Ganges-Brahmaputra, Indus, and Amu Darya basins are experiencing severe water stress. It is projected that the water stress index value would increase all across Ganges-Brahmaputra (∼0.79 i.e. severe water stress) and Yellow basins (∼0.96) by 2050s and 2080s, respectively if the current rate of climate change remains unchanged. This study will reinforce in–depth understanding of climate change–driven water storage transition, which could be resourceful for developing better management practices targeted to mitigate water stress under the countenance of unstoppable climate change.