Climate change is presently causing a multitude of impacts in various sectors. Studies by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the UN, and other agencies such as the Institute of Physical Geography, University College London show that there will be a significant impact on fresh water availability in the future due to climate change. The Cochin city region is an important port and commercial hub located on the south western coast of India. Average annual rainfall is 3,099 mm, yet there is an acute gap between the demand and supply of potable water. An assessment of the vulnerability of the city to various climate change parameters is important in formulating long-term strategies for sustainable development. This article examines the availability of water resources in the context of future requirements (2051), the expected impacts of climate change and its variability.

Research highlights:

  • 99% of supply depends on monsoon fed rivers

  • 100 years temperature shows an increasing trend with significant increase in later years

  • 100 years rainfall shows increasing variability with significant increase in later years

  • Sensitivity analysis and the environmental water requirement (EWR) approach indicate a 33% drop in reservoir water availability due to a 19% deficit in rainfall

  • Based on climate change, vulnerability CVI for water availability computed

  • 66% of population highly vulnerable.

climate change, Coastal Socio Vulnerability Index, EWR, rainfall variability, temperature change, water availability
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© IWA Publishing 2013
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