Determine the trend of the extreme rainfall events over Odisha state in India

Abstract

Climate change has been the global phenomenon affecting the mankind. The ill effect of climate Change necessitated the research and development in various aspects of global climate change. Extreme rainfall events are a significant cause of loss of life and livelihoods in Odisha. Objectives of the present study are to determine the trend of the extreme rainfall events during 1994-2017. Block level daily rainfall data were used in identifying the extreme rainfall events, while district level aggregation was used in analyzing the trend in three categories, Heavy (64.5-124.5 mm per day rainfall), Very Heavy (124.5- 224.5 mm per day rainfall) and Extremely Heavy rainfall (≥ 244.5 mm per day rainfall) as per the criteria given by IMD. The state on an average received one extremely heavy rainfall, eight very heavy rainfall and forty heavy rainfall events in a year. When percentage of occurrence of each category out of the total extreme events over different districts was considered, Maximum percentage of extremely heavy rainfall occurred in Sambalpur (5.95%), very heavy rainfall in Puri (22.86%) and heavy rainfall in Sundergarh (84.66%). A record of one-day rainfall event clearly indicated that Thuamal Rampur block of Kalahandi district experienced extremely heavy rainfall (700 mm) on 3rd June 2006.