Studies on Variation of Temperature and Rainfall using Climatological data for the Plain and Hill zones of Uttarakhand

The present study examines long-term annual, seasonal and monthly changes and short-term fluctuations in monsoonal rainfall and temperature over plain and hill zones of Uttarakhand. Both rainfall and temperature data for period of 1981-2020 were analyzed in this study. Statistical trend analysis techniques namely Mann–Kendall test and Sen’s slope estimator were used to examine and analyze the problems. The detailed analysis of the data for 40 years indicates that the annual range of temperature is increasing in the hill zone. In the context of agriculture, the observed trends in temperature and rainfall patterns pose significant implications for farming practices and crop yields in Uttarakhand. The increasing annual range of temperature, particularly in the hill zone, suggests a heightened risk of temperature extremes such as heat waves and cold spells. During the monsoon season, while rainfall levels may remain relatively stable or exhibit minor fluctuations, the variability highlighted by the box and whisker plots underscores the importance of preparedness for both excess and deficit rainfall scenarios.