Flow Variation of the Major Tributaries of Tigris River Due to Climate Change

Abstract

Climate change is affecting the hydrological cycle all over the World. The effect on arid and semi-arid regions is relatively more. The Middle East and North Africa region is one of the biggest hyper-arid, semi-arid and arid zones in the world where the long-term average precipitation does not exceed 166mm per year. The Tigris and Euphrates basins are located within the northern part of the Middle East. Future projections indicate the considerable reduction in water resources as a result of drought and population growth. North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is responsible for the change in climate over the Tigris and Euphrates basins. This is causing a decrease in rainfall and a consequence decrease in the flow of the rivers. In addition, the temperature is increasing. All these variables are causing sea level rise, increasing dust storms and deletion of groundwater resources. It is believed that quick actions are required to minimize the effect of climate change. This includes prudent water resources planning and good regional cooperation.