Binaya Kumar Mishra

Pokhara University · School of Engineering

Assessing flood frequency in a changing climate is crucial for evaluating and managing flood risk in river basins. Often, rivers lack sufficient observational streamflow data, particularly for annual maximum flood discharge analysis, either due to ungauged or inadequate record lengths. However, most river basins have access to rainfall data with lo...

Snow-covered mountainous regions are crucial for the hydrologic cycle. Any changes in the cryosphere are critical and directly impact the hydrologic cycle and socio-environment of the downstream. It is likely to occur more extreme events of precipitations, raising the risk of flooding worldwide. Glacier melting is increasing, thus the formation of...

This study assessed the hydropower potential of a mountain watershed within the Sunkoshi River basin in Sindhupalchok, Nepal, utilizing geographic information systems (GIS) and the soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) hydrological model. Topographical, soil, land use, meteorological, and discharge data were employed to assess the study area for th...

This study delves into the intricate relationship between climate change and hydrological dynamics in Nepal’s Seti Gandaki River, with a specific focus on its implications for hydropower potential. Utilizing IPCC AR6 scenarios, the well-calibrated HEC-HMS model integrates data from four Global Climate Models (GCMs) and two Shared Socioeconomic Path...

Water resources assessment and management in ungauged basins are highly challenging but important task. It requires accurate simulation and estimation of streamflow characteristics. This study focuses on the simulation of rainfall-runoff processes in an ungauged Fusre River basin, a tributary of Seti River basin, Nepal using a semi-distributed hydr...

Indonesia, particularly in the urban area, is prone to extreme events, especially floods. In addition, the duration, frequency, and intensity of such disasters are projected to increase due to the climate change. However, in Indonesia, little is known about the effects of those climate disasters on human health. Given the population’s extremely lim...

This paper presents a research study of expected precipitation extremes across the Gandaki Province, Nepal. The study used five indices to assess extreme precipitation under climate change. Precipitation output of two Global Climate Models (GCMs) of Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase Six (CMIP6) were used to characterize the future precipi...

The newly enacted national water policy is envisioned as ensuring water sustainability in Nepal. Despite theoretical pertinence, questions remain about the effective implementation due to limited studies on key aspects of sustainability, such as water supply and demand, pollution, and impacts of climate change and socio-economic growth. This study...

This study presents about the analysis of sediment generation of the ungauged basin Fusre basin by modeling and also with the help of rainfall simulator. Many rivers in Nepal are either ungauged or poorly gauged due to extreme complex terrains, monsoon climate and lack of technical and financial supports. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) w...

Watershed models represent a scientific understanding of various processes involved within a watershed or simulate natural processes of the flow of water, sediment, etc. This study presents the methodology of evaluating soil and water assessment tool (SWAT) and test the applicability of SWAT on runoff and sediment load simulation in the Jhimruk wat...

Water is essential for human activities and economic development, and the water environment significantly influences ecological balance and global climate. China and Southeast Asia are the most populous areas in the world, and their water resources are deteriorating day by day. We focus on five representative cities such as, Beijing, Jakarta, Hanoi...

The lack of strategic planning in stormwater management has made rapidly urbanizing cities more vulnerable to urban water issues than in the past. Low infiltration rates, increase in peak river discharge, and recurrence of urban floods and waterlogging are clear signs of unplanned rapid urbanization. As with many other low to middle-income countrie...

Citation: Kumar, P.; Dasgupta, R.; Dhyani, S.; Kadaverugu, R.; Johnson, B.A.; Hashimoto, S.; Sahu, N.; Avtar, R.; Saito, O.; Chakraborty, S.; et al. Scenario-Based Hydrological Modeling for Designing Climate-Resilient Coastal Water Resource Management Measures: Lessons from Brahmani River, Odisha, Eastern India. Sustainability 2021, 13, 6339. https...

The landscape of zoonotic diseases has gained renewed interest due to COVID-19 that has gripped the world since the last 1 year. This chapter argues that in the age of humans, called “Anthropocene,” we may have to deal with the challenge of zoonotic diseases that can increase due to increases human managed ecosystems at the expense of intact and wi...

Mountains of Nepal are rich in natural resources as well as shelter for many ethnic group and indigenous community. Mountain people depend on natural resources and unique landscapes to survive, to preserve a unique sense of identity, and to provide livelihoods for centuries. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought unprecedented damage to the mountain eco...

The landscape of zoonotic diseases has gained renewed interest due to COVID-19 that has gripped the world since the last one year. This chapter argues that in the age of humans, called 'Anthropocene', we may have to deal with the challenge of zoonotic diseases that can increase due to increases human managed ecosystems at the expense of intact and...

Water scarcity, together with the projected impacts of water stress worldwide, has led to a rapid increase in research on measuring water security. However, water security has been conceptualized under different perspectives, including various aspects and dimensions. Since public health is also an integral part of water security, it is necessary to...

Planning of land use and infrastructure in advance for a population that is projected to grow rapidly is highly important for its sustainable development. A correlative approach of land use shifts and infrastructure design is perhaps the best sustainable urban development option that can be made at present. This paper is aimed at suggesting policy...

Water is of vital and critical importance to ecosystems and human societies. The effects of human activities on land and water are now large and extensive. These reflect physical changes to the environment. Global change such as urbanization, population growth, socioeconomic change, evolving energy needs, and climate change have put unprecedented p...

The sustainability and efficiency of flood risk management depends on the assessment of flood hazards and on the quantification of flood damage. Under the conditions of climate change and rapid urbanization, the evaluation of flood risk can lead to the success of adaptation strategies. The main objectives of this study are the estimation of future...

River water was the backbone for socio-economic development in Medan City of Indonesia. However, because of the rapid global changes, the status of most of the river systems is very critical from the environmental, aesthetic and commercial usage points of view. Considering frequent flooding event combined with water quality deterioration, it is ver...

Rapid global changes (population growth, urbanization and frequent extreme weather conditions) have cumulatively affected local water bodies and resulted in unfavorable hydrological, ecological, and environmental changes in the major river systems. Particularly, communities in isolated riverine islands are heavily affected due to their poor adap-ti...

This book presents solutions to address water security in rapidly urbanizing cities, and explores the new paradigms of water security in changing contexts. Highlighting the latest developments in water research, changes in water policy, and current discourses on water security, the book also provides information and tools for local stakeholders, wa...

The novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has brought countries around the world to a standstill in the early part of 2020. Several nations and territories around the world insisted their population stay indoors for practicing social distance in order to avoid infecting the disease. Consequently, industrial activities, businesses, and all modes of...

Water security is a new concept for the sustainable water management. Rapid urbanization and climate change have become a burden for water security managers. It is important to understand and investigate various challenges and impacts of global environment changes for managing water-related problems like frequent urban floods; groundwater water dep...

The urban water providers are confronted with the multiple challenges of limited water availability, inadequate water quality and rising living standards, resulting in growing water demands. The inefficient water supply systems and negative impacts of changing climate are threatening local water resource availability and increasing risks of water-r...

Water resources in urban areas are either approaching or exceeding the limits of sustainable use at alarming rates. Depletion of groundwater and increasing floods has become a common issue in rapidly developing urban areas. Therefore, improvement of present water management systems for managing water quality, while at the same time reducing hydro-m...

Ineffective water governance is a significant factor in causing water insecurity and hampering the goal of sustainable development in developing countries. The water resources in South Asia are under increasing pressure from population growth, urbanization and industrial growth along with socioeconomic water demand in the region. Urban water govern...

Achieving water security through availability of sufficient water with good quality for all is the main agenda of the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals by the year 2030. The constraints on water availability and deteriorating water quality through global changes threaten secure access to water resources for different uses. Main drivers am...

Water is of vital and critical importance to ecosystems and human societies. Issues like urbanization, population growth, socioeconomic change, evolving energy needs and climate change have put unprecedented pressure on utilization of freshwater resources. It is argued that achieving water security is the key to sustainable development. The focal p...

The book began with multifaceted concept of urban water security in the context of global environmental changes. It was followed by discussion on emerging challenges such as climate change, urbanization, population and their implications on different dimensions of urban water security. Considering the inadequacy of current water management systems,...

Global change processes like increasing population, haphazard urbanization and climate change have resulted huge pressure on natural resources. In this context, it is natural to think of how water cycle will be altered by such global change processes. Currently, more than half of the global population resides in urban areas, and thus, urban water s...

Water security in urban areas is a highly challenging issue. Urban areas have caused dramatic changes in the freshwater environments by activities such as damming, channel modification, increase in impervious surfaces, disconnected waterways and increasing pollutants. Accordingly, this chapter argues for a landscape-based approach for water securit...

Watershed models represent a scientific understanding of various processes involved within a watershed or simulate natural processes of the flow of water, sediment etc. This study presents the methodology of evaluating Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) and test the applicability of SWAT on runoff and sediment load simulation in the Jhimruk wate...

Co-author, Weena Gera’s institutional affiliation at the time of publication also includes the University of the Philippines Cebu, Cebu, Philippines.

Despite being rich in fresh water resources, water shortage is a major issue in many parts of Nepal. The water use arrangements among various sectors are commonly institutionalized through the agreement between the water use activities, which seems to be more challenging under the changing socio-economic and political situation. The study examined...

Groundwater table depletion and increasing flood events can be easily realized in urban areas. It is necessary to improve existing storm water management systems for good quality water environment and reduced hydro-meteorological disasters while preserving our natural/pristine environment in a sustainable manner. This can be achieved through optima...

Just a few decades ago, Adyar River in India's city of Chennai was an important source of water for various uses. Due to local and global changes (e.g., population growth and climate change), its ecosystem and overall water quality, including its aesthetic value, has deteriorated, and the water has become unsuitable for commercial uses. Adverse imp...

Planning of land use and infrastructure in advance for a population that is projected to grow rapidly is highly important for its sustainable development. A correlative approach of land use shifts and infrastructure design is perhaps the best sustainable urban development option that can be made at present. This paper is aimed at suggesting policy...

Groundwater is the only source of water for drinking, domestic, and agricultural needs in Jaffna, a district in northern Sri Lanka. While the sustainability challenges to this groundwater resource in terms of water availability and quality have been highlighted and studied extensively through existing research, household water consumption and manag...

Megacities are facing serious water pollution problems due to urbanization, rapid population growth and economic development. Water is an essential resource for human activities and socio-economic development and water quality in urban settings has important implications for human and environmental health. Urbanization and lack of sewerage has left...

The urbanization and construction of modern infrastructure lead to the increase in surface runoff and decrease in infiltration. Groundwater is one of the most important water sources in the Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. The amount of groundwater extraction over the years has been greater than the natural replenishment capacity, as a result the water tab...

The paper uses a statistical method of predicting summer monsoon over Bhutan using the ocean-atmospheric circulation variables of sea surface temperature (SST), mean sea-level pressure (MSLP), and selected teleconnection indices. The predictors are selected based on the correlation. They are the SST and MSLP of the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea...

Natural and man-made (technological) disasters like earthquake, droughts, floods, landslide, avalanche, disease outbreaks are common worldwide. Recent major earthquakes,floods and other natural phenomena have resulted in huge losses in terms of human life and property destruction. Additionally, human-made disasters have afflicted humanity in modern...

Rapid changes in land use and land cover pattern have exerted an irreversible change on different natural resources, and water resources in particular, throughout the world. Khambhat City, located in the Western coastal plain of India, is witnessing a rapid expansion of human settlements, as well as agricultural and industrial activities. This deve...

Recently, Nepal has adopted Federal system of governance. With promulgation of constitution of Nepal in 2015, all levels (Central, Provincial and Local) of election were completed in 2018. Earlier, disaster risk management (planning and implementation) tasks were largely carried out by central level government. Role of district and local level were...

Worldwide, scarce freshwater resources are increasingly being used to satisfy the demands of a rapidly increasing population and a growing global economy. One-third of the world’s river basins have reached their capacity for exploitation, and half of the global population is directly affected by water scarcity. Furthermore, the increasing rate of u...

In recent decades, the increased frequency of disaster events, particularly hydro-meteorological disasters, have threatened human lives and infrastructure. In the context of climate change, urban water management became more complicated because of erratic or heavy rain events or prolonged droughts. Now, sustainable water management and planning req...

Worldwide more and more freshwater resources are being used to satisfy growing demands of rapidly increasing populations and growing economies. Meanwhile, urban centers in developing countries are suffering from a scarcity of clean water because most domestic wastewater (speculated at more than 80% (WWAP, 2017)) is discharged into oceans, lakes, ri...

There are many traditional agricultural production systems in Asia that have resulted not only in outstanding landscapes, maintenance of agricultural biodiversity, indigenous knowledge, and resilient ecosystems development but also provided economic, environmental, and social goods and services over thousands of years. With growing population and e...

Considering the finite volume of fresh water resources, managing its quality and quantity sustainably is one of the greatest challenges because of complex global changes. This work strives to predict the combined effect of urbanization and climate change on water quality in Pasig-Marikina River considering its criticalities to develop proactive pla...

Due to climate change, the frequency and intensity of Hydro-Meteorological disasters, such as floods, are increasing. Therefore, the main purpose of this work is to assess tangible future flood damage in the urban watershed of the To Lich River in Hanoi, Vietnam. An approach based on spatial analysis, which requires the integration of several types...

The design, development, and operation of current and future urban water infrastructure in many parts of the world increasingly rely on and apply the principles of sustainable development. However, this approach suffers from a lack of the necessary knowledge, skills, and practice of how sustainable development can be attained and promoted in a give...

The goal of ensuring water availability and sustainable management of water for all by 2030 is one of the top priorities of the UN-SDGs. The fragile institutional capabilities induce the transitioning towards the sustainable urban water paradigm to accommodate the complexities and uncertainties. This research methodically draws sustainable water ma...

Although the concept of “robustness” is increasingly used in decision making under uncertainty, it has yet to be systematically defined. This paper analyses the term in its original definitions and how it is employed in water resources studies. The concept has diverse origins, ranging from classical systems analysis and decision theory methodologie...

Human activities during recent decades have led to increased degradation of the river water environment in South Asia. This degradation has led to concerns for the populations of the major cities of Nepal, including those of the Kathmandu Valley. The deterioration of the rivers in the valley is directly linked to the prevalence of poor sanitary con...

This study assessed flood inundation of the Ciliwung River Basin, Greater Jakarta to improve the urban water environment under climate change and unplanned urbanization. The 1-day maximum precipitation data for 50- and 100-year return period under current and future climate conditions were used to assess the impact of climate change. Precipitation...

Modeling insecurity under future climate change and socio-economic development is indispensable for adaptive planning and sustainable management of water resources. This case study strives to assess the water quality and quantity status for both the present and the near future in the Ciliwung River basin inside the Jakarta Province under different...

Water balance under different management scenarios was tested in Deduru Oya reservoir project system, Sri Lanka with focus on Left Bank canal system to address agricultural, energy, and environmental water deficits in all seasons. A conceptual rainfall-runoff model, SimHyd, was employed for modeling discharge into ancient tanks. CropWat model enabl...

High fluoride (F−) groundwater causes fluorosis which might at severe stages lead to deformation of bones, bilateral lameness. The concentration of F− ranged from 0.4 to 4.8 mg/L. This study suggests that high HCO3− and Na+ in alkaline medium along with water–rock interaction plays important role in enrichment of F− in groundwater. Na-HCO3 is the d...

Water pollution remains a challenging issue for the sustainable development of Kathmandu Valley despite several infrastructural, awareness-raising and policy measures. The paper assesses the sustainability of the surface water resources of Kathmandu valley by analyzing the water quality parameters such as Dissolved Oxygen (DO) and Biochemical Oxyge...

Towards sustainable urban water environment

The semi-arid zone of Killinochi area in Northern Sri Lanka, which was ravaged by civil war for last 25 Years, is again being revitalized by human settlement in last couple of years. Conversely, water scarcity driven by increasing demand, deteriorating water quality (report of kidney stone and fluorosis) and non-efficient management is the most pre...

The Global Climate Model (GCM) run at a coarse spatial resolution cannot be directly used for climate impact studies. Downscaling is required to extract the sub-grid and local scale information. This paper investigates if the artificial neural network (ANN) is better than the widely-used regression-based statistical downscaling model (SDSM) for dow...