Changes in the Water Resources of the Kura River Basin under Climate Transformation
Ulkar Makhmudova1* 
, Elvira Piriyeva2 , Kamran Ramazanov2
Abstract. The article examines long-term changes in the water resources of the Kura River basin and the characteristics of river-flow formation under climate transformation. The study aims to assess the effects of changes in temperature and precipitation regimes, anthropogenic water consumption, and irreversible losses on the basin water balance. Long-term monthly, seasonal, and annual. hydrological indicators for the 1961–1990 baseline period, water-management data, and scenario outputs from five global climate models were analyzed using comparative and statistical methods. The results indicate a declining trend in annual flow, a high share of water abstraction, and a possible annual reduction of 2.7–5.3 km³ in water resources under the assessed climate scenarios. Rising temperature, declining snow reserves, and changes in the seasonal distribution of precipitation intensify the intra-annual redistribution of runoff. Efficient irrigation technologies, reduction of conveyance losses, reuse of treated drainage water, and continuous basin-wide monitoring are identified as priority adaptation measures. The findings provide a scientific basis for developing long-term and integrated water-management strategies for the Kura River basin.
Keywords: Kura River, water resources, climate change, river flow, water scarcity, water management