Freshwater under threat: South Asia

Vulnerability assessment of freshwater resources to environmental change: Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna River Basin; Helmand River Basin; Indus River Basin

This report is one of the primary outputs of the Vulnerability Assessment of Freshwater Resources to Environmental Change project, and presents a situation analysis with regard to the vulnerability of water resources systems in South Asia. In addition to the more general issues addressed herein, this report considers three South Asian transboundary river basins as case studies: (i) Ganges- Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM); (ii) Indus; and (iii) Helmand. Collectively, these basins provide South Asia with a variety of water-related challenges that encompass floods in the monsoon season; water shortages in the summer; sedimentation and erosion in the river and associated flood plains; drainage congestion in low-lying areas; and environmental and water quality problems.

Although the sources of vulnerability of the water resources for the three case study basins are different, it is expected that the comprehensive, and easily interpretable findings in this report will help decision makers reach sound solutions for reducing the vulnerability of water resources in South Asia.