Climate Change with Special Reference to Rainfall Variability: A Case Study of Upper Jambhira Basin, Odisha, India

Abstract

ABSTRACT. Rainfall is a vital source of water for the rural population of the upper Jambira basin. 50% of the cultivable land is rain fed, and fluctuation in rainfall will adversely affect their livelihood. The present research study observes the characteristic variability of rainfall in the upper Jambhira basin of north Odisha. This analysis is based on the daily rainfall data collected for a period of 33 years (1988-2020) from the office of the Special Relief Commissioner (SRC), Govt. of Odisha. The rainfall data has been analyzed to know the annual, monsoonal and decadal trend analysis of rainfall variability, rainfall intensity, extreme and excess rainfall, wet and dry spell, monsoon onset and withdrawal. The analysis shows, the basin experiences an increasing trend of annual and monsoonal rainfall with inter annual and inter decadal variations. Though the basin experiences monsoon surplus rainfall, but annual surplus is very negligible with water scarcity in many years. This study suggests for the conservation of monsoon rainfall for utilization in the scarcity period. It will help in mitigation of the impact of climate change and occurrence of extreme rainfall events in the study area.