S. (Sonu) Khanal (Ph.D.) has almost 14 years of experience providing technical leadership for projects related to water, food, energy, climate vulnerability and risk assessment, climate finance, adaptation, resilience to climate change, and water-energy-food nexus. His experiences were obtained at the Institute of Engineering (IOE, Nepal), International Centre for Integrated Mountain and Development (ICIMOD, Nepal), Practical Action Consulting, (PAC, Nepal), Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute (KNMI, the Netherlands), Vrije Universiteit (VU, Amsterdam, the Netherlands) and FutureWater (the Netherlands).
Over the last few years, he focused on flood and drought risk studies in Asian and European catchments, climate change risk assessment, climate change finance, and policy frameworks, integrated water resource management, disaster risk reduction, implementation of nature-based-solution, operationalization of the probabilistic flood forecasting and multi-hazard early warning systems at different pilot basins with governmental institutions and forecasting drought impacts on crop yield and water supply systems using novel state-of-the-art machine learning techniques. He has international working experience in Europe, Asia, and Africa and has worked with several national and international clients and collaborators such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, National and Local Governments, River Basin Organizations, Science Foundations, Universities, and Research Organizations.
Related projects
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Rapid Climate Risk and Adaptation Assessment for Solar PV and BESS projects in Uzbekistan
Given the current state of Uzbekistan's electric grid and the growing challenges of climate change, the Asian Development Bank is assisting the government in enhancing the capacity and reliability of the country’s power generation and transmission network. This initiative focuses on developing solar power plants, substations, transmission lines, and battery...
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Climate Risk and Adaptation Assessment for the Electricity Distribution Infrastructure in Pakistan
The project aims to strengthen the existing power transmission and distribution (T&D) system in Pakistan by rehabilitating infrastructure as the country is currently struggling with deteriorating and climate-vulnerable grid infrastructure. As part of the ‘Power Distribution Strengthening Project’, ADB is assisting the government of Pakistan in rehabilitating and modernizing the...
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SPHY GUI Plugins Update
SPHY (Spatial Processes in Hydrology) is a conceptual, spatially distributed (raster-based) “leaky-bucket” type water balance model. Developed by FutureWater, with the support of national and international partners, SPHY has emerged as a robust, user-friendly tool for undertaking operational and strategic water resource management decisions. It stands out for its physical...
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Springshed Management in the Indian Himalayas
Springs in the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region are essential for water security, agriculture, economic activities, ecosystem services, biodiversity, and cultural heritage. They sustain nearly 240 million people, including 50 million in India who depend directly on these springs for their water needs. However, almost half of the perennial springs...
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Increasing Investments in Early Warning Systems to Strengthen Climate and Disaster Resilience
This project aims to support the development of a new multi-hazard Early Warning System (EWS) facility, addressing the significant exposure of countries in Asia and the Pacific region to disaster risks. The enhancement of EWS aligns with global commitments, such as the Paris Agreement, Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), Sustainable Development...
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Roadside Spring Protection to Improve Water Security in Nepal
The mid and high-altitude areas of the Himalayas face a critical water scarcity issue, making them one of the most vulnerable regions in the world. Springs are essential lifelines for millions of mountain communities, serving as the primary source of domestic water and local food security. Unfortunately, the flow regimes...
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Integrated Water Resources Management in Tajikistan
Given the abundant freshwater resources in Tajikistan, water plays a crucial role in the country's socioeconomic development. However, the rising population, economic growth, and the growing impacts of climate change pose significant challenges to ensure water availability and accessibility. This project aims to address the aforementioned information gap by improving...
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Climate Risk and Adaptation Assessment for the Electricity Distribution Infrastructure in Uzbekistan
Given Uzbekistan’s accelerated economic growth despite the ongoing global challenges, the government aims to maintain the momentum by implementing structural reforms that will stimulate demand and expand the private sector. This includes enhancing the resilience of the power sector with the support of the Asian Development Bank. As part of...
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Climate Risk and Adaptation Assessment for Hydropower Project in Nepal
Climate risk and adaptation (CRA) assessment is required for the 635 MW Dudhkoshi hydroelectric project (DKSHEP) to ensure the project addresses climate change mitigation and adaptation in accordance with ADB’s requirements. The initial Climate Risk Assessment (CRA) by FutureWater in 2021 suggested the project is likely to be affected by...
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WE-ACT: Water Efficient Allocation in a Central Asian Transboundary River Basin
The WE-ACT project’s overall goal is to demonstrate a Decision Support System (DSS) for water allocation in a Central Asian transboundary river to increase shared benefits and foster the adaptation of water resources management and planning to climate change.
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Climate Risk and Adaptation Assessment of the Energy Transmission System in Uzbekistan
The project aims to strengthen the existing power transmission system in Uzbekistan by expanding, rehabilitating, and constructing transmission lines and substations as the country is currently struggling with a weakening and climate-vulnerable grid infrastructure. To address this issue, ADB, in collaboration with FutureWater, is directing its efforts towards enhancing the...
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Strategic Climate Adaptation Planning for the Amu Darya Basin in Uzbekistan
Uzbekistan's water resources depend to a large extent on those provided by the transboundary Amu Darya river which are fully allocated and highly sensitive to climate change and water demand and management changes. Especially the agricultural sector, but also the energy and urban water supply sector need to transform into...
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Climate Risk and Adaptation Assessment for Nepal’s Power Sector
Nepal’s power sector predominantly relies on hydropower generation. Hydropower is vulnerable to climate change and natural disasters caused by climate change. An understanding of the future impact of climate change on hydropower assets and their performance is important for the successful implementation of hydropower projects. Climate risk and adaptation (CRA)...
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Climate and Disaster Risk Screening and Assessment Tool
The Asian Development Bank’s is building a next-generation Climate and Disaster Risk Screening and Assessment tool. This tool aims to provide scientifically credible and context-specific screening of projects for risks associated with climate and geophysical hazards at project concept stage in order to guide subsequent activities, including the design of...
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Development of a Glacio-Hydrological Model and IWRM Plan for the Uttarakhand subbasin in India
The Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation’s (SDCs) Global Programme Climate Change and Environment (GP CCE) India is supporting the operationalization of climate change adaptation actions in the mountain states of Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Himachal Pradesh through the phase two of the “Strengthening State Strategies for Climate Action” (3SCA) project...
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Tailor-made Training on River Morphology and Flood Risk using State-of-the-Art Open Satellite Data and Processing Tools
The main objective is to enhance the capacity of DWIR staff in using innovative data and tools to analyze water resources and support water management. The training is organized with a very practical approach and strongly built upon the ‘learning-by-doing’ principles. Participants use freely accessible satellite-derived data to gain insight...
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InfoSequia-4CAST: Forecasting and Quantifying Risks of Crop and Water Supply Failures Using Machine Learning and Remote Sensing
InfoSequia-4CAST combines historical and up-to-date observations of satellite-based meteorological and agricultural drought indices with climate variability indices, to generate seasonal outlooks of water supply and crop yield failure alerts. These impact-based indicators are computed using a simple, robust and easily understandable statistical forecasting-modelling framework. By making use of multi-sensor, state-of-the...
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Tailor-Made Training for water professionals in Myanmar
This tailor-made training enhanced capacity of Yangon Technological University (YTU) educational staff in using Google Earth Engine to analyse water resources and support water management. Technical staff of Department of Meteorology and Hydrology (DMH) and the Department of Water resources and Improvement of River systems (DWIR) also participated to gain...
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Training on Using Open Source Platforms for Hydrological Modelling of Data Sparse Regions in Nepal
This training was attended by sixteen researchers (seven female and nine male) from IOF, Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (DHM), Central Department of Hydrology and Meteorology (CDHM), Department of Forests and Soil Conservation and the Institute of Engineering (IOE). The overall objective of this training was to ensure the use...
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Pan-TPE: Changes in the Pan-Third Pole Water Tower
The proposed research targets changes in climate, water supply and demand, and suitable adaptation measures for green development of the Silk Road Economic Belt (SREB) in the river basins crossed by the SREB transect. Given the strong role of large scale hydrology in the proposed research activities, the spatial domain...
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Hydrological assessment for two potential sites for run-of-river hydropower, southwestern Georgia
A hydrological assessment was carried out for two sites where run-of-river hydropower plants are planned, in the southwestern part of Georgia. Only very limited streamflow data were available, so the assessment was based mainly on hydrological modelling of the basin upstream of the points of interest. Principally global datasets were...
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Pre-feasibility study of run-of-river hydropower plant, Georgia
There is great potential for hydropower in Georgia. Critical is to conduct accurate feasibility assessments for hydropower generation at the different potential sites of interest. This pre-feasibility assessment delivered daily flow estimates at several locations in Georgia. These flows were used as input into an economic analysis.
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Training in Water Resources Modelling for ARA-Sul
A Tailor-Made Training on Water Resources Modelling was required to equip the staff of the water agencies in Mozambique (ARAs) with additional knowledge to have a stronger advisory role towards policy and decision makers, and people living in the area. FutureWater provided this training to ARA-Sul and ARA-Norte. This training...
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Hydropower Development Assessment for the Tamakoshi River Basin
The overall objective of this project is to improve the understanding of the expected impacts of climate change on water availability in the context of potential hydropower development in the Tamakoshi River Basin. Specifically, the project aims to (i) Understand the current baseline hydrological regime of the Tamakoshi River Basin,...
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System-Risk: A large-scale systems approach to flood risk assessment and management
System-Risk is a Marie-Skłodowska-Curie European Training Network which aims on developing and implementing a systems approach for large-scale flood risk assessment and management and provides a framework for training and career development of 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESRs). In collaboration with the Royal Meteorological Institute (KNMI), FutureWater is the hosting...
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Training in Water Resources and Allocation Models
A Tailor-Made Training was provided to three ARAs in Mozambique, being ARA-Centro (Beira), ARA-Centro-Norte (Nampula), and ARA-Norte (Pemba). The provided Tailor-Made Training focused on learning to work with a Water Resources and Water Allocation Model, and apply them to a catchment in Mozambique. Emphasis was put on how these tools...
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HI-AWARE: Himalayan Adaptation, Water and Resilience
HI-AWARE aims to contribute to enhanced adaptive capacities and climate resilience of the poor and vulnerable women, men, and children living in the mountains and flood plains of the Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra river basins. Research, including modeling, scoping studies, action research, and randomized control trials, is conducted at 12...
Related publications
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2023 - Final Report
D. De Condappa, Hunink, J.E., Khanal, S., Nolet, C., Gaffarov, K., Gojenko, B., Muradov, R., Dosmukhamedova, R., Gaipnazarov, N., Iskanov, A., Kholmatjanov, B., Khujakulov, A., Mamarasulov, K., Tursunov, M., Van der Tak, C. 2023. Climate Risk Analysis and Prioritisation of Adaptation Measures for the Amu Darya River Basin, Uzbekistan. Final Report.X
Climate Risk Analysis and Prioritisation of Adaptation Measures for the Amu Darya River Basin, Uzbekistan
D. De Condappa, Hunink, J.E., Khanal, S., Nolet, C., Gaffarov, K., Gojenko, B., Muradov, R., Dosmukhamedova, R., Gaipnazarov, N., Iskanov, A., Kholmatjanov, B., Khujakulov, A., Mamarasulov, K., Tursunov, M., Van der Tak, C.
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2023 - ADB Technical Report
Khanal, S. 2023. Climate Risk Adaptation Assessment for Dudhkoshi HEP, Nepal. FutureWater Report 255.X
Climate Risk Adaptation Assessment for Dudhkoshi HEP, Nepal
Khanal, S.
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2023 - FutureWater Report
S. Khanal, Nolet, C., Tursunov, M., Hunink, J.E., de Condappa, D. 2023. Climate Change Risk Mapping of the Amu Darya river basin, Uzbekistan. FutureWater Report 257.XClimate Change Risk Mapping of the Amu Darya river basin, Uzbekistan
S. Khanal, Nolet, C., Tursunov, M., Hunink, J.E., de Condappa, D.
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2023 - FutureWater Technical Report
Khanal, S., T. Imran, T., Nolet, C. 2023. Climate Risk and Adaptation Assessment for the Electricity Distribution Infrastructure in Uzbekistan. FutureWater Report 254.XClimate Risk and Adaptation Assessment for the Electricity Distribution Infrastructure in Uzbekistan
Khanal, S., T. Imran, T., Nolet, C.
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2023 - PanTPE Project Report
Kraaijenbrink, P., Immerzeel, W., Khanal, S., Lutz, A. 2023. An Assessment of Water-related Climate Change Impacts on the Third Pole. PanTPE Project Report.XAn Assessment of Water-related Climate Change Impacts on the Third Pole
Kraaijenbrink, P., Immerzeel, W., Khanal, S., Lutz, A.
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2023 - FutureWater Report 243
Khanal, S., T. Imran, C. Nolet. 2023. Climate Risk and Adaptation Assessment for Digitize to Decarbonize – Power Transmission Grid Enhancement Project – Uzbekistan. FutureWater Report 243.XClimate Risk and Adaptation Assessment for Digitize to Decarbonize – Power Transmission Grid Enhancement Project – Uzbekistan
Khanal, S., T. Imran, C. Nolet
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2023 - Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology
Khanal, S., T. S. Tiwari, A.F. Lutz, B.V.D Hurk, W.W. Immerzeel. 2022. Historical Climate Trends over High Mountain Asia Derived from ERA5 Reanalysis Data. Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 62, 263-288. https://doi.org/10.1175/JAMC-D-21-0045.1XHistorical Climate Trends over High Mountain Asia Derived from ERA5 Reanalysis Data
Khanal, S., T. S. Tiwari, A.F. Lutz, B.V.D Hurk, W.W. Immerzeel
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2022 - FutureWater Report 253
Droogers, P., Khanal, S., Hunink, J.E. 2022. Water Allocation in Bhagirathi Basin, India. FutureWater Report 253.XWater Allocation in Bhagirathi Basin, India
Droogers, P., Khanal, S., Hunink, J.E.
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2022 - FutureWater Report 234
Contreras, S., G. Guimarães, A. Fernández, S. Khanal, G.W.H. Simons. 2022. InfoSequia-4CAST: Report on InfoSequia-4CAST Development. FutureWater Report 234. XInfoSequia-4CAST: Report on InfoSequia-4CAST Development
Contreras, S., G. Guimarães, A. Fernández, S. Khanal, G.W.H. Simons
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2022 - FutureWater Report 235
Contreras, S., C. Nolet, S. Khanal, A. Fernández, G.W.H. Simons. 2022. InfoSequia-4CAST: Report on InfoSequia Monitor Upgrading. FutureWater Report 235. XInfoSequia-4CAST: Report on InfoSequia Monitor Upgrading
Contreras, S., C. Nolet, S. Khanal, A. Fernández, G.W.H. Simons
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2022 - FutureWater Report 252
Khanal, S., Nick, F., Fiddes, J., Kraaijenbrink, P., Immerzeel, W., Hunink, J.E. 2022. Present-day and Future Changes in the Hydrology of the Bhagirathi Basin. FutureWater Report 252.XPresent-day and Future Changes in the Hydrology of the Bhagirathi Basin
Khanal, S., Nick, F., Fiddes, J., Kraaijenbrink, P., Immerzeel, W., Hunink, J.E.
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2021 - FutureWater Report 228
Contreras, S., G. Guimarães, G.W.H. Simons, C. Nolet, J.Beard, S. Khanal, A. Fernández. 2021. InfoSequia-4CAST: Baseline Design Report. FutureWater Report 228. XInfoSequia-4CAST: Baseline Design Report
Contreras, S., G. Guimarães, G.W.H. Simons, C. Nolet, J.Beard, S. Khanal, A. Fernández
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2021 - FutureWater Report 242
Khanal, S. 2021. Climate Risk Adaptation Assessment for Dudhkoshi HEP, Nepal. FutureWater Report 242.XClimate Risk Adaptation Assessment for Dudhkoshi HEP, Nepal
Khanal, S.
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2021 - Water Resources Research
Khanal, S., Lutz, A. F., Kraaijenbrink, P. D. A., van den Hurk, B., Yao, T., & Immerzeel, W. W. (2021). Variable 21st century climate change response for rivers in High Mountain Asia at seasonal to decadal time scales. Water Resources Research, 57, e2020WR029266. https://doi.org/10.1029/2020WR029266XVariable 21st Century Climate Change Response for Rivers in High Mountain Asia at Seasonal to Decadal Time Scales
Khanal, S., A.F. Lutz,, P. D. A. Kraaijenbrink, B. van den Hurk, T. Yao, W.W. Immerzeel
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2019 - Frontiers in Earth Science
Khanal, S., N. Ridder, H. de Vries, W. Terink, B. van den Hurk. 2019. Storm Surge and Extreme River Discharge: A Compound Event Analysis Using Ensemble Impact Modeling. Front. Earth Sci. 7:224. doi: 10.3389/feart.2019.00224XStorm Surge and Extreme River Discharge: A Compound Event Analysis Using Ensemble Impact Modeling
Khanal, S., N. Ridder, H. de Vries, W. Terink, B. van den Hurk
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2019 - Atmosphere
Khanal, S., A.F. Lutz, W.W. Immerzeel, H. de Vries, N. Wanders, B. van den Hurk. 2019. The Impact of Meteorological and Hydrological Memory on Compound Peak Flows in the Rhine River Basin. Atmosphere 10 (4) 171. doi:10.3390/atmos10040171XThe Impact of Meteorological and Hydrological Memory on Compound Peak Flows in the Rhine River Basin
Khanal, S., A.F. Lutz, W.W. Immerzeel, H. de Vries, N. Wanders, B. van den Hurk
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2017 - FutureWater Report 175
Khanal, S., J.E. Hunink. 2017. Hydrological pre-feasibility assessment for hydropower facility in Northern Georgia. FutureWater Report 175.XHydrological pre-feasibility assessment for hydropower facility in Northern Georgia
Khanal, S., J.E. Hunink
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2017 - PLOS ONE
Wijngaard, R.R., A.F. Lutz, S. Nepal, S. Khanal, S. Pradhananga, A.B. Shrestha, W.W. Immerzeel. 2017. Future changes in hydro-climatic extremes in the Upper Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra River basins. PLOS ONE 12(12): e0190224. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0190224XFuture changes in hydro-climatic extremes in the Upper Indus, Ganges, and Brahmaputra River basins
Wijngaard, R.R., A.F. Lutz, S. Nepal, S. Khanal, S. Pradhananga, A.B. Shrestha, W.W. Immerzeel
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2017 - FutureWater Report 164
Terink, W., W.W. Immerzeel, A.F. Lutz, P. Droogers, S. Khanal, S. Nepal, A.B. Shrestha. 2017. Hydrological and Climate Change Assessment for Hydropower development in the Tamakoshi River Basin, Nepal. FutureWater Report 164.XHydrological and Climate Change Assessment for Hydropower development in the Tamakoshi River Basin, Nepal
Terink, W., W.W. Immerzeel, A.F. Lutz, P. Droogers, S. Khanal, S. Nepal, A.B. Shrestha
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2016 - FutureWater Report 160
Terink, W., S. Khanal. 2016. SPHY: Spatial Processes in Hydrology. Advanced training: input data, sensitivity analysis, model calibration, and scenario analyses. FutureWater Report 160.XSPHY: Spatial Processes in Hydrology. Advanced training: input data, sensitivity analysis, model calibration, and scenario analyses
Terink, W., S. Khanal
