Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

Hydrological Extremes and Responses to Climate Change in the Kelantan River Basin, Malaysia, Based on the CMIP6 HighResMIP Experiments

Mou Leong Tan, Ju Liang, Narimah Samat, Ngai Weng Chan, Jim Haywood, Kevin I. Hodges

Water · 2021

Read source ↗ All evidence

Summary

This study develops a hydro-climatic extremes assessment framework by integrating high-resolution CMIP6 climate simulations with the SWAT hydrological model to project future extreme flows in the flood-prone Kelantan River Basin, Malaysia. Climate projections to 2050 show increases in precipitation (6.9%), streamflow (9.9%), and temperature, with pronounced seasonal variation during monsoon periods and a notable divergence between high- and low-resolution climate models. The findings suggest that model resolution significantly influences projections of hydrological extremes, with implications for flood risk assessment and water resource planning in the region.

Regional applicability

This study addresses hydrological extremes in Malaysia and does not directly apply to United Kingdom conditions. However, the methodological framework—integrating high-resolution climate models with process-based hydrological modelling to assess extreme flows—may be transferable to UK river basins vulnerable to climate-driven flooding or drought, though regional calibration and validation would be required.

Key measures

Annual precipitation, streamflow, maximum and minimum temperatures; 66 hydrological and environmental flow indicators from the Indicators of Hydrologic Alteration (IHA); 1-, 3-, 7-, 30- and 90-day minimum and maximum flows

Outcomes reported

The study projected changes in hydrological extremes and environmental flow indicators for the Kelantan River Basin under future climate scenarios (2021–2050), using high-resolution climate models coupled with hydrological modelling. Results indicate increases in precipitation, streamflow, and temperature, with differential responses between high- and low-resolution climate models.

Theme
Climate & resilience
Subject
Climate & greenhouse gas mitigation
Study type
Research
Study design
Modelling study combining CMIP6 climate simulations with SWAT hydrological model
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Malaysia
System type
Other
DOI
10.3390/w13111472
Catalogue ID
SNmqopert4-qv93c5

Topic tags

Pulse AI · ask about this record

Dig deeper with Pulse AI.

Pulse AI has read the whole catalogue. Ask about this record, its theme, or how the findings apply to UK farming and policy — every answer cites the underlying studies.