The Himalayas the abode of snow and ice contains over 50% of permanent snow and ice fields

s outside the
polar regions and occupy a unique position in the Indian perspective of development of water resources.
The major river systems of India, namely, the Indus, The Ganges, the Brahmaputra and their tributaries
originate in the Himalayas. The contribution of the snow and glacier melt to these snow fed rivers of India
is well recognized and most of it is received in the summer months of April to June, when there is heavy
demand for water.
Proper estimation and prediction of volume of water contained in the snow pack, and rate of release of this
water are therefore needed for efficient management of water resources. In spite of substantial
contribution from the Himalayan Rivers, at present there is no hydrological model available in our country,
which can be, applied for snowmelt forecast for reservoir operation and planning and management of
various water resources projects on the Himalayan Rivers. A conceptual model based on simple approach
and minimum data requirement is required to be developed for the Himalayan basins.
This Appraisal Report for the Snow Season 2016-2017 is a result of continuous efforts made by Monitoring
& Appraisal Directorate, Central Water Commission, Shimla and the Snow Hydrology Division, Central
Water Commission, Shimla. The report brings out the information in a nutshell the date observed by the
various Snow Hydrological Observatories during 2016-2017 and necessary operational Seasonal Forecast
and experimental Short term forecast made by the NRSC for Himalayan River Basin namely, Beas, Ganga,
Chenab, Yamuna and Sutlej River Basin during 2016 from April to June.
I am deeply indebted to Shri A.K jain, Chief Engineer (IB), CWC Chandigarh and Shri Padma dorji gyamba,
Superintending Engineer , Chandigarh whose guidance and support helped me to carry out the Snow
Hydrology Studies. I am also thankful to Shri VV Rao, Water Resources Head, NRSC and his team for
necessary studies being carried out by NRSC for CWC.
I appreciate the efforts of the staff posted at various Snow Hydrological Observatories who, in spite of
harsh weather and difficult conditions regularly observed the data which forms the backbone of these
studies. I also thank Shri H.P chaursia, Executive Engineer, Shri Dhani ram sharma Sub Divisional Engineer,
Shri Rajat sharma & Shri Vishal Guleria Junior Engineer and Observers and Skill work Assistants of Snow
Hydrology Division, Shimla and Sh. Beliram verma Assistant Director & Staff of M&A Dte CWC Shimla whose
sincere efforts helped to prepare this report in the present form.
Place: Shimla
Dated: Anant kumar gupta
Director
 APPRAISAL REPORT 2016-2017
CONTENTS

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1. Introduction
2 History of snow hydrology studies in central water commission
2.1.0 Central water commission snow hydrology studies from 6th plan to 10th five year plan-2009 on small
watershed
2.1.1 Instrumentation at snow hydrology Observation
2.1.2 Data Acquisition during snow season 2012-13
2.2.0 Snowmelt runoff modeling
2.2.1 Available models
2.3.0 Martinecs Snow Runoff Model
2.3.1 Introduction
2.3.2 Model Output Product
2.3.3 Data Input
2.4.0 Simulation Result of Yamuna Basin
2.5.0 Simulation Result of Beas basin
2.6.0 Conclusion and recommendation and Action Plan by CWC Shimla
3.0 Central water commission Snow Hydrology Activity During 10th plan
4.0 Central water commission Snow Hydrology Activity During 11th plan
5.0 Central water commission Snow Hydrology Activity During 12th plan
5.1.0 The Overview Status of NRSC Operational season forecast-2013 and its ground verification details
5.2.1 The Overview Status of NRSC Experimental short term forecast-2013 and its ground verification details
5.2.1 16 Daily Short term forecast for Sutlej and Beas Basin From 1/4/2013 to 30/06/2013 & and Ground
Verification Details
5.2.2 16 Daily Short term forecast for Yamuna And Chenab Basin From 1/4/2013 to 30/06/2013 & and
Ground Verification Details
5.2.3 16 Daily Short term forecast for Ganga Basin for Bhagirathi &Alaknanda river Basin From 1/4/2013 to
30/06/2013 & and Ground Verification Details
6.0 Central water commission Project Monitoring Committee
7.0.0 Hosting Of website of snow hydrology Division
8.0.0 Interaction with other government Departments
9.0.0 Paper Presented
10.0 Budget Allocation & Expenditure during 2012-2013
11.0 Copy of 2012-2013 NRSC Draft Status report Dec -2013 on Snowmelt Runoff Forecast In Himalyan
River
12.0 Annexure from I to VII-C With regard to snow data of snow season 2012-2013
13.0 Copy of central water commission NRSC MoU -2009 and copy of NRSC Project Proposal to CWC
2.1.2 DATA ACQUISITION DURING SNOW SEASON 2016-2017

The hydrological data observed at various snow hydrological observatories and G & D sites are listed
below :

a) PRECIPITATION
The Precipitation was measured manually by using ordinary Rain gauge (ORG) AT THE Snow
Hydrological observatory I & II , jubbal & kothi . The observed data by ORG / Snow gauge at
snow hydrological Observatory I & II , Jubbal and Kothi Snow Hydrological observatory is place
at Annexure-I-A & I-B Respectively .
b) DEPTH OF SNOW COVER

The snow depth observations were done hourly from 900 hrs to 1700 hrs throughout the snow
season 2012-2013 with the graduate snow stake. In all, there were 20 snowfalls at snow
hydrological observatory I & II. Jubbal and 12 at Kothi snow hydrological observatory .At SHO-I ,
jubbal heaviest snowfall spell was observed on 17/01/2013 with snow depth of 70 cm. At SHO II ,
jubbal , heaviest snowfall spell was observed from 02/01/2013 with snow depth of 56 cm . At Snow
Hydrological Observatory , Kothi the heaviest snowfall spell was observed on 04-02-2013 with
snow depth of 146 cm .

The abstract of snowfalls at snow hydrological observatory at jubbal I & II and kothi snow
hydrological observatories are given at annexure II-A & II-B respectively .The hourly data recorded
by snow stake is given at Annex III A , III B .

c) SNOW COURSES SURVEY

Snowfall is a complex recourse and does not tends itself easily to an exact assessment of its likely
runoff potential. Mere measurement of snowfall depth and during a given period tells us little
unless its density is known. Thus, the snow Water Equivalent (SWE) which is the vertical depth of
water layer that would be obtained by melting the snow cover is more important than the depth of
snowfall to forecast the snowmelt runoff. in order to assess these parameters , snow surveys have
regularly been conducted during snow accumulation and ablation period at designated sites called
as snow courses .

d) SNOW LINE

A statement showing average snow line is sundlinala catchment and salvi khud watershed & kothi
watershed with dates of observations is given at Annex V-A and V B respectively.

e) TEMPERATURE

The daily maximum and minimum temperature were observed manually at 1000 hrs the manually
recorded data of air temperature are given in annex VI-A.
1. After necessary studies in the sundlinala catchment it was felt that the studies may be proposed
to be continued for the purpose of fine tuning the model in bigger catchment in beas basin
accordingly CWC Snow observatories at chopal was shifted to kothi in year 1992.
2. The matter for state of art auto weather station/data collection network was conceived and
work for preparation of SFC for 11th plan snow hydrology studies in CWC in collaboration with
NRSC and real time data acquisition network to minimize the human error and to have
observatories at higher elevations.
3. Development of an indigenous snowmelt runoff model with the help of NRSC with satellite
input and ground data.
A proposal to carry out snow hydrology studies in solang nala near manali under a project to be
party funded by department of science and technology has been submitted. The project
Advisory and monitoring committee of DST has agreed in principle to fund this project. This
proposal shall be implemented from beginning of Xth five year plan. Since the success of the
simulation will greatly depend on the accuracy with which the model variables are determined,
both of these proposal involve installation of auto weather stations in the catchment. The
access of this data shall be through satellite.
Most of the data generated will be useful in calibration of snow runoff model in large Himalayan
catchments, thereby, establishing relationship between response of snowmelt and runoff the
basin. The database shall be shared with SASE, NIH and will help to achieve the objective of
development of an indigenous snow runoff model applicable in Himalayan catchments, which
can be used in forecasting of snowmelt based on forecasted metrological parameters.
4.0.0 CENTRAL WATER COMMISSION SNOW HYDROLOGY ACTIVITIES DURING 11TH PLAN (2007
TO 2012)
The SFC memo for 11th plan was approved by MoWR , GOI for CWC for development of
indigenous snowmelt runoff model for five Himalayan river basin in collaboration with NRSC .
the NRSC proposal was approved by MoWR with the NRSC component of cost Rs. 136. Crore
with time to time service taxes.
A MoU between CWC and NRSC signed in year -2009. The copy of MoU and NRSC proposal is
place at Annexure.
5.0.0 CENTRAL WATER COMMISSION SNOW HYDROLOGY ACTIVETIES DURING 12TH PLAN (2012-
2017)
Based on year 2012 experimental seasonal forecast and further verification of forecast and
accordingly modification in the model during the year 2013, NRSC issued operational
SEASONAL FROM 1ST APRIL-2013 TO 30TH JUNE 2013 ON 16-04-2013 and also start experimental
short term forecasting on 16 daily basis from april 2013 to june 2013.
5.1.0 THE OVERVIEW STATUS OF NRSC OPREATIONAL SEASONAL FORECAST 2013 AND ITS
GROUND VERIFICATION DETAILS ARE UNDER :-
Basin wise Seasonal runoff forecast:-

Basin Observed NRSC Seasonal % Deviation w.r.t Sum of short % Deviation w.r.t
(MCM) forecast (MCM) Observed term forecast Observed
Beas & Bhuntar 1267 900 -28.9

Sutlej @ Bhakra 3425 3750 9.5

Chenab @ 7257 7500 3.3

Premnagar
Yamuna @ 1306 1050 -19.6
hatnikund
Ganga Alaknanda @ 3057 2260 -26.0
Rudraprayag
Ganga-Bhagirathi 1438 1040 -27.7
@uttarkashi

5.2.0 The overview status of NRSC Experimental forecast-2014 and its ground verification details are
as under :-

5.2.1 Short term experimental forecast results for Sutlej and beas basin

Sutlej Basin Beas Basin

S.No FORECAST PERIOD NRSC forecast Observed Deviation w.r.t NRSC Observed Deviation
in MCM in MCM observed(%) forecast in in MCM w.r.t
MCM observed(%)
1 01-Apr-14 to 14- 208 253 -17.8 96 93 3.2
apr-14
2 15-Apr-14 to 30- 453 292 55.1 130 127 2.4
apr-14
3 01-may-14 to 16- 661 511 29.4 166 203 -18.2
may-14
4 17-may-14 to 1- 912 450 102.7 258 200 29.0
jun-14
5 2-jun-14 to 17-jun- 1210 849 42.5 270 320 -15.6
14
6 18-jun-14 to 30- 1400 1072 30.6 310 313 -1.0
jun-14

5.2.2 Short term experimental forecast results for Yamuna and Chenab Basin

Yamuna Basin Chenab Basin

S. No FORECAST PERIOD NRSC forecast Observed Deviation w.r.t NRSC Observed Deviation
in MCM in MCM observed(%) forecast in in MCM w.r.t
MCM observed(%)
1 01-Apr-14 to 14- 225 217 3.7 417 433 -3.7
apr-14
2 15-Apr-14 to 30- 269 242 11.2 722 554 30.3
apr-14
3 01-may-14 to 16- 249 248 0.4 952 889 7.1
may-14
4 17-may-14 to 1- 252 192 31.3 2085 974 114.1
jun-14
5 2-jun-14 to 17-jun- 191 217 -12.0 1455 2226 -34.6
14
6 18-jun-14 to 30- 183 190 -3.7 2131 2181 -2.3
jun-14

5.2.3 Short term experimental forecast results for Ganga- bhagirathi and Ganga- Alaknanda Basin

Ganga- Bhagirathi Basin Ganga- Alaknanda Basin

S. No FORECAST PERIOD NRSC forecast Observed Deviation w.r.t NRSC Observed Deviation
in MCM in MCM observed(%) forecast in in MCM w.r.t
MCM observed(%)
1 01-Apr-14 to 14- 47 54 -13.0 204 222 -8.1
apr-14
2 15-Apr-14 to 30- 87 70 24.3 309 262 17.9
apr-14
3 01-may-14 to 16- 161 139 15.8 450 386 16.6
may-14
4 17-may-14 to 1- 280 133 110.5 699 399 75.2
jun-14
5 2-jun-14 to 17-jun- 355 478 -25.7 725 860 -15.7
14
6 18-jun-14 to 30- 436 564 -22.7 927 928 -0.1
jun-14

Based on the forecast issued and Ground verification , NRSC Issue the draft yearly Report 2014 in dec-
2014 (copy placed at annexure) the draft yearly report of NRSC for year 2014 is circulated for needful
comments from CWC , field offices , project authorize , state govt and NIH .