Exploring the Impact of Climate Variability and Human Activities on Runoff Alteration using SWAT Hydrological Model: A Case Study of South Koel River Basin, Eastern India

Authors

  • Subrata Mondal Assistant Professor, Department of Geography, A.B.N Seal College, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India-736101

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2023.v08.n07.018

Keywords:

Runoff variability, Step change, SWAT, Human interferences, Climate variability

Abstract

The issue of runoff alteration has regional implications due to the complex and non-linear relationship with the catchment variables. The present study aims to evaluate the impact of climate variability and human activities on runoff alteration of the South Koel River basin using the Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model during 1981-2018. The input database of the SWAT model was a digital elevation model, soil, land use and land cover (LULC), and weather parameters which were collected from the various authenticate secondary sources. The results of step change analysis detected a change point in the year 2001 and 2008. On or before the change point it is called the reference period whereas, after the change point, it is called the interference period. However, the Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE) value ranged from 0.76-0.91 while the R2 value ranged from 0.79-0.93 which indicated a very good fitted model with the observed runoff. The climate variability increased the runoff (25.88-43.03%), whereas the human activity through LULC change was responsible for the decrease in runoff (125.88-143.03%). Their combined effect decreased the runoff. The findings of the study can be played a crucial role in shaping the hydrological regime of the region.

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Published

15-07-2023

How to Cite

Mondal, S. (2023). Exploring the Impact of Climate Variability and Human Activities on Runoff Alteration using SWAT Hydrological Model: A Case Study of South Koel River Basin, Eastern India. RESEARCH REVIEW International Journal of Multidisciplinary, 8(7), 131–140. https://doi.org/10.31305/rrijm.2023.v08.n07.018