Study on rainfall distribution pattern for agricultural planning in Bhatapara region of Chhattisgarh plain

Abstract

The amount and distribution of rainfall holds the key of the success for agriculture production. Weekly, monthly and seasonal rainfall data are very useful for planning agricultural operations. In view of this, an attempt has been made to evaluate rainfall distribution patterns i.e. weekly, seasonal and annual rainfall, based on 20 years (2000-2019) data of Bhatapara, Chhattisgarh in the year of 2020 at DKS College of Agricultural and Research Station, Indira Gandhi Krishi Vishva Vidylay, Bhatapara, Chhattisgarh. The analysis showed that amongst various weeks of monsoon season, the 26th week received highest rainfall amount equal to 420.00 mm. However, average rainfall as 99.60 mm was found to be highest for 29th week. From the monthly rainfall analysis, it was found that maximum value of average monthly rainfall (349.50 mm) and minimum value (2.0 mm) were recorded in the months of July and March, respectively amounting to 30.44% and 0.27% of the average annual rainfall with CV of 33.60% and 238.05%, respectively. On the basis of crop (Kharif) seasons received the highest rainfall 908.57 mm and contributing 78.57% of the total average annual rainfall. The highest average rainfall equal to 1070.90 mm was observed in monsoon season of the region while the lowest of 21.81 mm was in the winter season. A major part of it generally lost through runoff, which can be stored through in-situ or ex-situ water harvesting structures and can be used during kharif/ rabi/ summer season for growing crops. It can also be utilized as life saving irrigation particularly in dry period of one or two weeks in rainy season also adversely affect standing kharif crops. The annual rainfall varies from 695.00 to 1585.00 mm with an average value of 1135.15 mm. The percentage deviation over mean annual rainfall ranged in between (-) 41.33% and (+) 26.50% at rained region of Bhatpara during period under investigation. Hence the valuable information obtained from the analysis of rainfall in present study can be used for crop planning, designing of soil and water conservation structure in the Bhatapara region.