Chapter 1 - Climate change implications on groundwater resources in East Khasi Hills, with special reference to greater Shillong, Meghalaya, India

Abstract

Climate change is affecting weathers in East Khasi Hills district like other parts of India and the world. This paper aims to find the implications of climate change on the vulnerable groundwater resources in the district. Shillong, state capital of Meghalaya, partly depends on bore wells to fulfill its drinking water needs. Annual average rainfall varies from 1800 mm to about 10,000 mm. There is huge seasonal and temporal variation in rainfall pattern. Major part of the district is underlain by consolidated rocks. Fractures, joints, and lineaments present in the area form a vulnerable aquifer system. Actual long-term rainfall data (1987–2015) and number of rainy days showed a decreasing trend. RClimdex was used to study different rainfall indices, consecutive dry days (CDD), consecutive wet days (CWD), R10mm, R65mm, etc. CDD was found to showing an increasing trend and is statistically significant. CWD was found to showing a decreasing trend and is statistically not significant. Groundwater recharge was estimated on the basis of actual rainfall data showing a slight decreasing trend. The hilly and fractured aquifer systems tend to be more vulnerable to the effects of climate change. In future, this may lead to shortage of groundwater availability in the district. To cope with this problem, water conservation is the best possible way forward.