Application of remote sensing techniques to study hydro-meteorological changes on the dynamics of glaciers, Bhagirathi basin, Garhwal Himalaya

Hydro-meteorology is an interdisciplinary science involving the study and analysis of the interrelationships between the atmospheric and land phases of water as it moves through the hydrologic cycle. The recent development in remote sensing gives an opportunity to map natural features on earth surface with more accurately as 20 years before. In this paper, the de-glaciation pattern of the Bhagirathi basin has been studied from year 1980-2006 and various climatic parameters are also analysed during this period and compared with the changes on the glacier dynamics. Bhagirathi River and its tributaries are dependent predominantly on glacier and snow melt and precipitation. The average rainfall data for the Garhwal Himalaya varies between 1000 to 2500mm of which 50-80 % falls during the monsoon period between June and September. Over the study period, average daily maximum and minimum temperatures were computed to be 14.7 and 4.1°C respectively, whereas average mean temperature was 9.4°C. The investigation was carried out with the satellite images from the Landsat images of Multispectral Scanner (MSS) and Thematic Mapper (TM and ETM+). Alongwith the Landsat images, Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) LISS-III images have been used for preparing a repetitive glacier inventory. The retreat rate was faster in year 1980-2000 compare to the year 2000-2006. With the gradual retreat, the tributaries of the glaciers are susceptible to a detachment from the main body, thus showing fragmentation.