Long-term spatio-temporal analysis and trends of precipitation over semi-arid region of Rajasthan

Assessing the spatial and temporal variability of climate data is one of the basic requirements for solving water and water management problems. This study performed a comprehensive data quality test, a precipitation concentration index (PCI), Sen’s slope, Mann–Kendall (MK) trend test, and an analysis of the symptoms of drought using rainfall anomaly index (RAI) and standardized precipitation index (SPI). The standard homogeneity test (SNHT), Pettitt test, Buishand range test, and von Neumann scale were used for homogeneity analysis, and most tehsils (administrative boundary) showed the same weather character. PCI annual estimates show high local and temporary variability or irregularity in rainfall distribution. MK tests showed a marked increase in the tendency to high temperatures; however, the trend of annual and extreme rain events was not significant for most of the stations. The extreme dry conditions in 101 years (IMD) were found at Sujangarh. Analysis of size statistics and the trend of rainfall anomaly indices and spatial variability of climate data are important in the integration of water resource planning and management decisions. Rajasthan is an agricultural state in India, the monsoon rainfall largely controls the production of crops, and the proper implementation of regional agro-water management and rainwater harvesting can contribute significantly to agricultural potential. This study paves the way for further exploration of inter-regional hydrological modeling to sustain livelihoods. The mean yearly precipitation has shown a minimal non-significant positive pattern over the dryland ecosystem. Amazingly, 3 year running average has shown a cyclic example of mean yearly precipitation under the changing climatic conditions and in dry and wet conditions at different time scales. The western, northern, and southern parts of the dryland ecosystem have encountered wetter conditions (significant at 95% certainty level), while north-eastern, eastern, and south-eastern regions have seen expanded drier circumstances. Overall, most of the areas are suffering from hyperarid conditions, which needs extreme water management for a below normal-to-normal arid cropping.