Water Resources and Climate

Water resources are closely linked to climate through the hydrological cycle.
However, until recently, water managers have made little use of climate predictability and variability understanding.
Our work explores how climate information and predictions can be applied to improve water resource and river basin management.

Projects Undertaken

1. Workshop on Climate and Water Security in the Maldives (2015)

A one-day workshop organized by FECT and MNU on 13th September 2015.

Goal: To bring together expertise on climate and water, review the state of knowledge, and identify research priorities and educational needs.

Focus areas:

• Sustainability of water resource management
• Climate and water resources linkages
• Climate monitoring and predictions for water management
• The Climate Advisory for Maldives
• Lessons learned from ongoing programs and projects

Additional discussions included:

• Details of USAID’s environmental work in the Maldives
• The ongoing PEER project

2. Symposium: River Basin Management in a Small Tributary of the Mahaweli – Pinga Oya (2013–2016, ongoing interventions)

Goal: To gather authoritative and comprehensive information on the Pinga Oya (PO).

Participants included:
Researchers, academics, teachers, students, women’s groups, local policymakers, and a local media organization.

Outcomes:

• Created a multidisciplinary forum for academic exchange
• Identified research priorities and improved access to research resources
• Strengthened connections between education, local governance, and civic groups

Supported by:

• Department of Geography, University of Peradeniya
• USAID PEER Program of the National Academy of Sciences (NAS)
• Governments of Sri Lanka and Maldives

3. Intra-Seasonal Climate Predictions for Sri Lanka and Maldives for Water Resources Management (2012–2016)

Goal:
To enhance understanding of intra-seasonal rainfall variability around Sri Lanka and the Maldives, refine prediction schemes, and apply this knowledge to support water management and local climate services.

Collaborating organizations:

• University of Peradeniya
• Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL)
• Malé Water and Sewerage Company (MWSC)
• Maldives Meteorological Service (MMS)

Funded by:
The PEER Program of the US National Academy of Sciences and USAID.

4. Assessing Predictability of Seasonal Rainfall in the Kelani River Basin, Sri Lanka (2005–2006)

Objective:
To improve streamflow prediction in the Kelani River using sea surface temperature indices and other climatic factors.

Funded by:
The International Foundation for Science, Sweden.

5. River Basin Management in the Mahaweli (2000–2004)

Collaborations:

• Mahaweli Authority of Sri Lanka (MASL)
• International Research Institute for Climate and Society (IRI)
• Irrigation Department
• Ministry of Water Resources
• NASA Global Modeling and Assimilation Office

Focus areas:

• Studying climatic teleconnections with rainfall and streamflow
• Developing drought and flood indices
• Applying climate information to agricultural, water resources, environmental, and disaster management at the basin level
• Providing weekly hydro-meteorological monitoring and prediction updates to MASL