International Indexed & Referred Research Journal, October,2012. ISSN 0974-2832, RNI- RAJBIL 2009/29954; VoL.

IV * ISSUE- 45

Research Paper - Geography

Rainfall Variability and Drought Assessment in EastRajasthan (A case study of watershed 2D2A3, Jaipur/ Dausa/Tonk District)
* Dr. Dharam Veer Gurjar
* Lecturer in Geography, Sanju College, Losal, Sikar A B S T R A C T
Rainfall and Drought can be considered as a strictly meteorological phenomenon. It can be evaluated as a meteorological anomaly characterized by a prolonged and abnormal moisture deficiency. The objective of this is to develop a general methodology for evaluating the meteorological anomaly in terms of an index which permits time and space comparisons of drought severity. Rainfall data of 28 years of watershed 2D2A3 was analyzed for drought investigation and the study area is dominated by semi-arid climatic conditions.

October ,2012

Keywords: Rainfall, Drought, Departure, Watershed, Hydrological Introduction Watershed 2D2A3 Rainfall is the most important natural hydroLocation logic event and is a unique phenomenon varying both in space and time. The rainfall distribution is very uneven and it not only varied considerably from place to place but also fluctuates from year to year (Asati, 1992, p. 15). Hydrological, concerned as it is with reductions in stream flow and in lake and reservoir levels, depletion of soil moisture, a lowering of the ground-water runoff also poses specialized problems (Dhar, et al., 1979, p. 314). It is infact, more of an engineering problem in involving not only meteorology and hydrology but also geology and other geographical science (Raj, et al., 1987, pp. 18-19). Although rainfall is one of the basic criterions for defining drought, the distribution of rainfall over time is also very significant. Even when a good amount of rainfall is received in a short period, this may be followed by dry spells, which seriously hamper agricultural growth. Study Area The watershed 2D2A3 is located between 2627'N-2658'N latitude and 7559'E-7627'E longitudes covering an area of 1533.20 km2 as indicated in Figure 1. There is a total of six tehsils falling in the study area: Jamwa Ramgarh, Bassi and Chaksu tehsils in Jaipur department. Later, for analysis and presentation of district; Dausa and Lalsot tehsils in Dausa district and statistical methods for the present study graphs were Niwai tehsil in Tonk district (Census, 2001). The study prepared from 28 years rainfall data. area receives mean annual rainfall of 651 mm and the Results and Discussion Rainfall variability climate is semi arid. The study area is dominated by semi-arid climatic conPurpose of Study 1. To describe rainfall and drought departure in the ditions. The maximum and the minimum temperatures are 45.8C and 4C respectively. The mean annual rainstudy area. fall varies between 472.51 mm and 643 mm. The rainfall Data and Methodology Present study is based on both primary and distribution exhibits a highly variable character. Six secondary data. Secondary data includes published rainfall stations are considered which are medium disdata for the 28 years (1981-2008) from meteorology tributed in the watershed area (Figures 1.2 a,b,c,d,e,f). The 28 years rainfall data (1981-2008) is analyzed and SHODH, SAMIKSHA AUR MULYANKAN 23

International Indexed & Referred Research Journal, October,2012. ISSN 0974-2832, RNI- RAJBIL 2009/29954; VoL. IV * ISSUE- 45
Table 1.1 Watershed 2D2A3 : Rainfall (mm) distribution pattern Stations Highest Lowest Rang Mean Standard Coefficient of variations Deviation (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) Chaksu 1153.0 (1996) 136.1 (1984) 1017.9 472.51 196.2 41.52 Niwai 1021.3 (1996) 308.6 (1989) 712.7 539.86 221.0 40.93 Bassi 1323.0 (1992) 119.6 (1987) 1203.4 592.91 220.0 37.14 Jamwa Ramgarh 1092.1 (1996) 286.1 (1987) 806.0 608.52 214.0 35.21 Lalsot 1047.0 (1998) 417.0 (1988) 630.0 643.02 223.5 34.75 Dausa 1021.3 (1996) 308.6 (1989) 712.7 640.47 210.1 32.84 Source: Computation by the researcher based on Annual rainfall data (1981-2008) of irrigation department.

tabulated in Table 1.1. See Table 1 The spatial variation of rainfall in the watershed in high ranging from 119.6 mm upto 1323 mm. The coefficients of variation of annual rainfall were computed for 6 selected station. The variability of annual rainfall is as high 41.52 per cent in the Chaksu, while the variability in the Dausa is only 32.84 per cent being the lowest. Annual rainfall is an independent and random natural event. Watershed 2D2A3 Rainfall Patter And Departure Watershed 2D2A3 Rainfall Patter and Departure

Source: Department of Irrigation / Hydrology, Jaipur Drought Although rainfall is one of the basic criterions for defining drought, the distribution of rainfall overtime is also very significant. Even when a good amount of rainfall is received in a short period this may be followed by dry spells, which seriously, hamper agricultural growth. Drought studies were made for selected stations, based on the following criteria of negative percentage departures from mean annual rainfall (Table 1.2). Percentage drought frequencies were computed for the six stations. The south central as well as south Source: Department of Irrigation / Hydrology, Jaipur western part of the watershed suffer from severe and most severe drought conditions but the north, north(2009)

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International Indexed & Referred Research Journal, October,2012. ISSN 0974-2832, RNI- RAJBIL 2009/29954; VoL. IV * ISSUE- 45

Table 1.3 Watershed 2D2A3 years of frequency droughts occureence (1981-2008)

Satation Drought Mild drought (-0.01 to -0.25) Bassi 1983,2006 (7.14%) Normal drought (-0.26 to -0.50) 1985, 99, 2000, 01, 05, 07, 08 (25%) 1987, 88, 93, 2005 (14.28%) 1984, 86, 89, 99, 2001, 02, 08 (25%) 1987, 88, 89, 99 (14.28%) 1984, 86, 87, 88, 2000 (17.85%) 1984, 87, 89, 2006 (14.28%) Descriptions Sever drought (-0.51 to 0.75) 1984, 86, 88, 2002 (14.28%) 1984, 2002 (7.14%) 1987 (3.57%) Most sever drought (0.76 to -1.0) 1987, 94 (7.14%) -

Chaksu

1985, 86, 89, 94, 99, 2000, 01, 04, 06, 07, 08 (39.28%) 1981, 88, 90, 91, 93, 94, 2000, 06, 07 (32.14%) 1984, 85, 86, 90, 97, 2000, 01, 04, 05, 08 (35.71%) 1985, 89, 90, 99, 2001, 04, 06, 08 (28.57%) 1981, 85, 86, 88, 91, 92, 93, 99, 2000, 01, 05, 08 (42.85%)

Jamwa Ramgarh Dausa

2002 (3.57%)

Lalsot Niwai

2002 (3.57%) 2002 (3.57%)

Source: Computation by the researcher Watershed 2d2a3 Rainfall Patter And Departure

Table 1.2 Departures/Drought Departure/Percentage* Type of drought -0.01 to -0.25 Mild -0.26 to -0.50 Normal -0.51 to -0.75 Severe -0.75 to -1.0 Most severe * Where = mean rainfall for 28 years X = mean annual rainfall for a particular year

of droughts is occurrence presented in table 1.3. In most of the watershed areas, the mild drought high frequency of 42.85% in Niwai tehsil and low frequency of 7.14% in Bassi tehsil, the normal drought high frequency of 25% in Bassi and Jamwa Ramgarh tehsil and low frequency of 14% Chaksu, Dausa and Niwai tehsil the severe drought high frequency of 14.28% in Bassi tehsil and low frequency of 3.57% in Jamwa Ramgarh, Dausa, Lalsot and Niwai tehsil, the Most severe drought high frequency of 7.14% in Bassi tehsil and low frequency of nil in the study area. More or less all droughts of normal intensity have a significant aerial effect in watershed. Conclusion: If proper and detailed study of various rainfall data is analyzed, the severity and recurrence of droughts can be known beforehand. Thus various measures can be taken to cope up with the problem of drought and in a present study of watershed 2D2A3 (East Rajasthan) Source: Department of Irrigation / Hydrology, Jaipur drought analysis based on 28 years was observed. The (2009) observed data shows that in years frequency of drought eastern and north-western part of watershed suffer was observed and a maximum frequency of the mild from mild and normal drought conditions. The frequency drought and minimum frequency of most severe drought.

R E F E R E N C E

1 2 3 4 4

Asati S.R. (1992), "Analysis of Rainfall Data from Drought Investigation at Gondia (MS)", IWWA Annual Convention at Jodhpur (Rajasthan). Dhar D.N., Rakheha, P.R. and Kulkarni, A.K. (1979), "Rainfall Study of Serves Drought Years of India". Drought, Vol. 1, New Delhi, p. 314. Government of India 2001. District Census Handbook, Ministry of Home, New Delhi. Raj C.R., Senapati P.C. and Lal R. (1987), "Investigation of Drought from Rainfall Data at Gopalpur". Indian Journal of Soil Conservation, Vol. 15(1), Orrisa, pp. 15-19.

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