Assessment of rainfall trend and variability of semi-arid regions of Upper and Middle Godavari basin, India

• Published in: Journal of water and climate change 2021-12, Vol.12 (8), p.3992-4006
• Main Authors: Aher, Madhura Chetan, Yadav, S. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agriculture; Annual rainfall; Arid regions; Arid zones; Climate change; Drought; godavari basin; innovative trend method; mann–kendall test; Monthly rainfall; Rain; Rainfall; Rainfall patterns; Rainfall variability; Regions; Resource management; Semi arid areas; Semiarid lands; Semiarid zones; sen's slope estimator; Suicides & suicide attempts; Temporal variations; trend; Trend analysis; Trends; Variability; Water resources; Water resources management; Wind
• ISSN: 2040-2244; 2408-9354
• DOI: 10.2166/wcc.2021.044

Study of rainfall pattern and trend in the long term is essential from climatic change and socioeconomic perspectives. In the present study, monthly, seasonal and annual rainfall of semi-arid regions (Madhya Maharashtra, Marahwada and Vidarbha) of the Godavari basin is evaluated for the period of 1871–2016. The innovative trend analysis (ITA), Mann–Kendall test (MK) and Sen's slope estimator methods are used to check gradual change. A significant increasing or decreasing trend is not detected in the seasonal and annual rainfall series for any of the regions. The rainfall variability index indicates Madhya Maharashtra has received normal rainfall for 40% of the time, Marathwada for 36% of the time and Vidarbha region for 41% of the time. Very dry and very wet conditions are experienced by all three regions for 15% of the time. The spatial and temporal variation in the seasonal and annual rainfall is not significant in these regions. The results obtained from the study will be useful for water resource management of the Godavari basin.