Analysis of long-term rainfall trend, variability, and drought in the Awash River Basin, Ethiopia

• Published in: Theoretical and applied climatology 2024-09, Vol.155 (9), p.9029-9050
• Main Authors: Meskelu, Elias, Ayana, Mekonen, Birhanu, Dereje
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Annual; Annual precipitation; Annual rainfall; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Atmospheric Sciences; Categories; Climatology; Drought; Drought analysis; Drought conditions; Drought index; Drought periods; Earth and Environmental Science; Earth Sciences; Hydrologic drought; Hydrometeorology; Impact analysis; Precipitation; Rain; Rainfall; Rainfall distribution; Rainfall trends; Rainfall variability; Reconnaissance; River basins; Rivers; Seasons; Standardized precipitation index; Stream discharge; Stream flow; Trend analysis; Trends; Variability; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water policy; Water Pollution Control; Water resources
• ISSN: 0177-798X; 1434-4483
• DOI: 10.1007/s00704-024-05170-8

Changes in rainfall and drought significantly impact agriculture and water management, making it vital for effective planning and management. This study aimed to analyze rainfall trends and drought conditions in the Awash River Basin, Ethiopia. Twenty meteorological (1985–2021) and nine streamflow (1985–2014) station data were used to analyze rainfall trends, variability, and drought conditions based on the Mann–Kendall test, innovative trend analysis, standardized precipitation index, agricultural standardized precipitation index, reconnaissance drought index, effective reconnaissance drought index, and streamflow drought index. Based on Mann–Kendall’s test results rainfall during the Bega season showed a decreasing trend at all stations while Tsedey and Kiremt seasons showed an increasing trend at the majority of the stations. However, the Belg season and annual rainfall showed no clear trend at the majority of the stations. A significant ( p