IIT researchers find decrease in spatial variability of mean monsoon rainfall over major river basins in India
Q. Study carried out by IIT researchers has found _____ in spatial variability of mean monsoon rainfall over major river basins in India- Published on 01 Aug 16a. Increase
b. Decrease
c. No Difference
d. None of the above
ANSWER: Decrease
A study conducted by IIT-M and IIT-B researchers has found decrease in spatial variability of mean monsoon rainfall over major river basins in the country.
- Though there is a statistically significant decrease in monsoon rainfall over major water surplus basins, there is no such increase in monsoon rainfall over major water deficit river basins.
- Major surplus basins like Godavari and Mahanadi are witnessing significant decrease in rainfall.
- Decrease has been within 10 percent.
- Water yields in major deficit river basins such as Ganga and Indus have increased during 1976-2000 as against 25 years (1951-1975), the trend is not statistically significant according to Prof Gunthe from IIT-M
- Ganga which is a major water deficit basin has seen considerable increase in rainfall, while Yamuna, Krishna and Cauvery river basins exhibit a decrease.
- There has been increase in extreme rainfall events in India yet this is not significant for water availability as surplus water gets wasted.
- Latest study found that amount of summer monsoon rainfall over Indian river basins does not support the rule that “wet gets wetter and dry gets drier.”
- Changes in rainfall pattern over major river basins in India raises concerns with respect to suitability and viability of interlinking major river water basins.
- Water demand in the surplus basin needs to be assessed and matched under falling water availability scenario before transferring water from surplus to deficit river basins indicating the need for a systematic approach.
