Trends of rainfall and rainy days at Sindewahi station in Vidarbha of Maharashtra

Abstract

Changes in climate over the Indian region would have significant impact on agricultural production, water resources management and overall economy of the country. This study focuses on Rainfall variation and detecting trends in the annual, monthly, seasonal and weekly rainfall and rainy days for Sindewahi station in Chandrapur District (eastern part) in Vidarbha Region of Maharashtra State. The analysis of rainfall variation was done by using statistical parametric test and trend analysis was done by using Mann-Kendall and Sen’s slope test. The results revealed that no trend in annual and seasonal rainfall and rainy days whereas rising trend of rainfall observed in September months at 90 per cent confidence level. In rainfall and rainy days SMW 22 and SMW 30, 38 showed decreasing and increasing trend respectively. There are rising rates of rainfall and rainy days in other months and decreasing trend in some other months obtained at non-significant condition by these statistical tests suggesting overall insignificant changes in the area. The decreasing trend in rainfall, rainy days creating the moisture deficiency during crop growing period which ultimately is losing the productivity in rainfed agriculture. To mitigate the adverse effect of uncertainty of rainfall, it is proposed to adopt the location specific in situ soil and moisture conservation practices before and after commencement of the rains and to harvest the excess runoff into farm ponds and recycled for providing protective irrigation for sustainable rainfed agriculture.