Distribution of Seasonal Snow Cover Mapping Using Satellite Data in Sutlej Basin

Abstract

Snow is an essential resource present in the Himalayas. Snow cover is important for both climatological studies as well as hydrological applications. Snow cover area measured for snow melt runoff for planning hydropower projects. In this study, ablation pattern of cloud cover on Snow cover area (SCA) carried out to evaluate elevation zone wise and seasonal snow cover area for Sutlej basin. This technique can be used for estimation of snow melt run of in Sutlej basin using multispectral satellite data. The maximum SCA observed from satellite data were 88% February month while 20% of basin area by the end of May in the study area. The snow cover in lower elevation zones is generally disappearing in April and May months whereas the snow melt runoff in June is primarily from higher elevation zones. The results are acceptable and can be employed. Such result study of snow cover monitoring can provide vital inputs for planning the hydro-electric power projects as well as irrigation and drinking water supplies.