Temporal Patterns and Variability of Rainfall Over the Saurashtra-Kutch Region of Gujarat (1901–2017)

The Saurashtra-Kutch Region (S&K region) is located in the northwestern portion of Gujarat, India. Topographically Saurashtra represents the main peninsular part of Gujarat, while the Kutch area is consisting of dissected hills, marshy salt flats, wetlands, and the well-known great and little Rann (desert). The S&K region has semi-arid to arid climatic conditions. Rivers are short and seasonal. Variations in rainfall affect regional hydrological and ecological balance, agricultural, social, economic, and political spheres. The southwest (SW) monsoon brings most of the rain (around 93%) of the year. However, high temporal variation is seen. It is one of the agriculture-dominant areas of the State where rainfall plays a very significant role in the agriculture process and functions. Cultivation during non-rainy months became tough as water shortage arises, and the water became crucial input. The S&K region has a high-water scarcity for irrigation and drinking in Gujarat. It is also one of the chronically drought-affected regions of India. The present study is an attempt to understand the temporal patterns and trends of rainfall (1901–2017), rainfall variability, changes in the mean rainfall, and intensity as climate changes. Running mean and coefficient of variability (CV) are exercised to investigate rain patterns, trends, and variance in the study area. The results obtained reveal that there is a rise in rainfall seen during the South-West Monsoon season, Months of DJF have decreasing pattern of rainfall. CV also reveals the high inconsistency of rainfall seen in the study area. The highest annual rainfall of 1119.9 mm was recorded in 2010, while the lowest rainfall of 92.7 mm was recorded in 1987. Out of 117 years 62 years when rainfall observe below the long-term average and 95 years during which the region received more than 90% of its rainfall during the SW monsoon season. Study outputs are helpful in the water resource management and drought management viewpoint to the decision-makers.