An investigation of the changing patterns of rainfall in the Indravathi subbasin utilizing the Mann-Kendall and Sen’s slope methods

Abstract

In hydro-meteorological studies, precipitation is an important parameter that is utilized in irrigation system design and management, as well as agricultural planning. Under the effects of climate change, precipitation is predicted to alter, which will have an impact on sustainable development. Using rainfall data for the Indravathi subbasin, Godavari basin, from 1998 to 2016, the spatial variability and temporal trend of precipitation were examined over the region, which has a humid tropical climate. Using non-parametric tests like Mann-Kendall (MK) and Sen’s slope approach, analysis for trend detection was conducted. The test data were loaded into ArcGIS software, which then performed monthly, seasonal, and annual analyses of the spatial and temporal trends of rainfall. According to an analysis of the monthly rainfall trends, February had the largest spatiotemporal declining trend in rainfall, while September had the highest spatiotemporal increasing trend. An analysis of seasonal rainfall data revealed a considerable increase in the tendency for summer rainfall over nearly 80% of the basin. Data on annual precipitation revealed an increase in annual precipitation for the basin’s central eastern sections. The findings of this research may help the decision makers and stakeholders make the most efficient use of hydrological resources by providing insight on the effects of climate change and climatic changes on precipitation patterns in the Indravathi subbasin.