Change in rainfall pattern Gujarat region in the last 116 years (1901-2017): A case study

Abstract

The analysis of rainfall records for long period provides information about rainfall pattern and variability. The long term monthly rainfall data for the period 1901-2017 (116 years) was studied. And also rainfall studies are utmost utility for understanding nature and behavior of climate change. The main objective of this paper is to analyses the rainfall data to study variation in rainfall pattern. The analysis of rainfall records for long period provides information about rainfall pattern and variability. And also rainfall studies are utmost utility for understanding nature and behavior of climate change. In this study, trends in rainfall, maximum rainfall intensity for 1901-2017 were examined. Long term data analysed for 116 years (1901-2017) annual data suggest that there is a significantly change in rainfall over last decade. It observed total mean rainfall June to October, total mean rainfall observed an increasing trend having an increase 0.24 mm per year. This implies that in Gujarat region annual rainfall has increased by 24 mm. From the average monthly rainfall analysis, it is observed that rainfall variation for first 20 years (1901-1920 & 1921-1940) and second 20 years (1941-1960, 1961-1980) are similar rainfall pattern whereas it differs for last decade (2000-2017) because of the change in magnitude however the overall trend is similar. Average monthly rainfall analysis indicates there is maximum rainfall in month of July and minimum rainfall in month of October.