Statistical analysis of seasonal rainfall variability in Nasik district by using GIS interpolation technique

Abstract

Rainfall is the most important single factor determines the success or failure of agriculture and affects the availability of water resources. The proper understanding of precipitation pattern and its trends may help water resources development and take decisions for the developmental activities of that place. In view of this the present attempt was made to analyze spatial pattern and distribution of rainfall variability using statistical method and represented with the help of GIS interpolation technique. Present analysis includes the seasonal and spatial variations of rainfall in Nasik District of Maharashtra. The study was used 20 years monthly rainfall data from 1998 to 2017. The results revealed that spatial pattern of rainfall variability are not uniform. Nasik is characterized, by general dryness throughout the year except during the south west monsoon season. In Nasik District, tehsils Trambakeshwar, Igatpuri, Peth and Surgana were received highest rainfall compared to rest of tehsils. Igatpuri tehsils received highest rainfall i.e. 2991.0 mm and the lowest rainfall i.e. 494.0 mm were in Deolali rain guage station. Whereas, the Trambakeshwar tehsils has highest co-efficient of variation (35.18%) and Niphad tahsil has lowest variability (24.45%). The rainfall in the study area from western part to eastern showed decline. The maximum rainfall received during the south west monsoon season contributes 90.11% of total rainfall and average annual rainfall received 1062.59 mm.