Long-term Assessment of Precipitation Behaviour in Bihar (1901-2021): Patterns, Trends and Observed Variability

Abstract

Rainfall is an important variable that governs the climate and hydrological conditions of any region. During the past century, an increase in global emissions of greenhouse gases has caused changes in the patterns of hydro-meteorological conditions across the world. It has resulted in changed patterns and trends of rainfall, causing episodic occurrences of droughts and floods. This increasing variability of rainfall has triggered and intensified extreme events that pose potential future risks under different climate change scenarios. This projected variability may induce drastic changes in the flood affected states like Bihar where even a slightest change in rainfall variability may affect hydrological cycle and agriculture conditions.