Abstract:The observed retreat of several Himalayan glaciers and snow packs is a cause of concern for the huge population in southern Asia that is dependent on the glacial-fed rivers emanating from Himalayas. There is considerable uncertainty about how cryospheric recession in the Himalayan region will respond to climate change, and how the water resource availability will be affected. As a first step towards quantifying the contribution of glacier-melt water, hydrograph separation of River Ganga at Rishikesh into its constituent components, namely (i) surface runoff, (ii) glacial ice-melt and (iii) groundwater discharge has been done in this paper. A three-component mixing model has been employed using the values of υ 18 O and electrical conductivity (EC) of the river water, and its constituents, to estimate the time-varying relative fraction of each component. The relative fraction of the surface runoff peaks (70-90%) during winter, due to the near-zero contribution of glacial ice-melt, essentially represents the melting of surface snow from the catchment. The contribution of glacial ice-melt to the stream discharge peaks during summer and monsoon reaches a maximum value of ¾40% with an average of 32%. The fraction of groundwater discharge varies within a narrow range (15 š 5%) throughout the year. On the basis of the variation in the d-excess values of river water, it is also suggested that the snow-melt and ice-melt component has a significant fraction derived from winter precipitation with moisture source from mid-latitude westerlies (also known as western disturbances).

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The 2019 Mw 5.6 Kashmir earthquake occurred near the foothill regions of Himalaya causing severe damage to the buildings area in spite of lesser magnitude. The difference in intensity of damage in the area indicates difference in sediment load, underlying structures and the ongoing tectonic activity in the area. Complex tectonic setup making the area one of the seismically active region in Himalayan Belt. Bounded by two major faults, Samwal Fault and Jhelum Fault, the area is modified by both the tectonic forces. DInSAR observations from this study suggested that most deformation was concentrated in between NE - SW Samwal fault and NW - SE Jhelum Fault. The phase profile indicates upliftment of 0.27 m in south of EW Samwal Fault whereas subsidence of 0.16 m near northern side on LOS direction.

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