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Application of Basin Morphometry for Hydro-geomorphological Implications: A Study of the Indo-Bhutanese Duduya Watershed

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Journal of the Geological Society of India

Abstract

A drainage basin morphometric analysis has been carried out for the trans-boundary Duduya watershed located in the marginal parts of the Eastern Himalaya and its foreland of Bhutan and India. The linear, areal and relief morphometric parameters have been estimated based on topographical maps and SRTM DEM data. It is found that the Duduya is a 6th order drainage basin with asymmetric drainage arrangements with a total stream length of 1208.19 km. Almost all of the eleven sub-watersheds of the Duduya are elongated in nature and are characterized by medium drainage related parameters, e.g., density, frequency and texture signifying moderate flood susceptibilities while the presence of permeable soils, good vegetation cover facilitated considerable infiltration and water storage implying good groundwater potentials. The skewed distribution of relief parameters specially total relief, relief ratio and slope are indicators of erosion potential, however, this erosion potential is balanced by the elongated shape of the individual sub-watersheds and medium drainage related parameters. The region receives very high annual rainfall, besides majority of the watershed area is featured with very gentle slopes and flat terrains and therefore has prolonged runoff disposal meaning increased chances of floods in the downstream reaches. Several of the computed morphometric parameters were observed to have varied statistical associations and some of them are impacting each other significantly. A hierarchical cluster analysis suggested two different clusters of sub-watersheds, where SW1 and SW3 of the Eastern Himalayas need proper management for environmental issues like flash flood, channel avulsion and erosion due to high reliefs and moderate slopes, the rest of the sub-watersheds that are draining the lower parts of piedmont and the low-lying southern plain provide ideal conditions for cultivation due to flat terrains, meager slopes, greater infiltration and water storage capacities.

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  1. Natunpara, Dhupguri, Jalpaiguri, 735 210, India

    Subhankar Chakraborty

  2. Department of Geography, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan, 731 235, India

    Subhankar Chakraborty

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Chakraborty, S. Application of Basin Morphometry for Hydro-geomorphological Implications: A Study of the Indo-Bhutanese Duduya Watershed. J Geol Soc India 99, 473–486 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-023-2335-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12594-023-2335-8

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