Spatiotemporal Rainfall Distribution of Soan River Basin, Pothwar Region, Pakistan

Abstract

This study evaluates the spatiotemporal rainfall variability over the semimountainous Soan River Basin (SRB) of sub-Himalayan Pothwar region, Pakistan. The temporal rainfall trend analysis of sixteen rain gauges was performed on annual basis with long-term (1981–2016) data. The results depicted that there is substantial year-to-year and season-to-season variability in rainfall patterns, and rainfall patterns are generally erratic in nature. The results highlight that most of the highland rainfall stations showed decreasing trends on annual basis. The central and lowland stations of the study area recorded an increasing trend of rainfall except for Talagang station. The average annual rainfall of the study area ranges between 492 mm and 1710 mm in lowland and high-altitude areas, respectively. Of the whole year’s rainfall, about 70 to 75% fall during the monsoon season. The rainfall spatial distribution maps obtained using the inverse distance weighting (IDW) method, through the GIS software, revealed the major rainfall range within the study area. There is a lack of water during postmonsoon months (November–February) and great differences in rainfall amounts between the mountainous areas and the lowlands. There is a need for the rational management of mountainous areas using mini and check dams to increase water production and stream regulation for lowland areas water availability. The spatiotemporal rainfall variability is crucial for better water resource management schemes in the study area of Pothwar region, Pakistan.

Species Diversity, Growing Stock Variables and Carbon Mitigation Potential in the Phytocoenosis of Monotheca buxifolia Forests along Altitudinal Gradient across Pakistan

“…It could possibly be linked to the geographical aspect of the area, where the nearly-steep slope has isolated itself from continued interaction. These results are matched with the findings of Padmakumar et al [28]; however, the reports of Phillips et al [45] offer a visible challenge. One of the possible reasons for such a pattern is the presence of fewer but larger diameter trees at higher elevation.…”

“…Temperatures range from −22 • C in winter in the north to 50 • C in summer in the south. The precipitation is 1500-2000 mm and 100-200 mm across the north and south of Pakistan, respectively [45]. Pakistan is also going to face the brunt of climate change due to its hydrological reserve's shrinkage, rapid glacier melting floods, and droughts [43].…”

Impacts of Climate Change on the Hydrometeorological Characteristics of the Soan River Basin, Pakistan

“…We found that overall NEX-GDDP GCMs performed better over Dhoke Pathan sub catchment than over the Chirah sub catchment. This might be attributed to different catchment characteristics, for instance, the Dhoke Pathan sub catchment is nineteen times the size of the Chirah sub catchment, also the Chirah sub catchment is mostly dominated by humid and subhumid climates, while the Dhoke Pathan sub catchment, on the other hand, is dominated by arid and semi-arid climates [17]. Overall, we found that uncertainties related to hydrological and climate models are dependent on the climatic conditions of the studied region, similar findings were reported by other studies as well [48,49].…”

“…Slightly more than fifty percent of the region has flat to gentle slopes, more than twenty percent is comprised of medium slope, and the remaining area has either steep or very steep slopes. Humid and subhumid climates dominate the northern part of the SRB, while southern regions are dominated by arid and semiarid climates [17].…”

Observed and Predicted Precipitation Changes in Pakistan Using Ground Observations, Satellite Data and Model Projections with Special Focus on Winter and Pre-Monsoon Precipitation

“…Pakistan, in lieu of being located in South Asia is projected to be one of the most vulnerable and worst hit counties by the dire consequences of climate change, reasons being the geographical features and reliance on agriculture and natural resources for livelihoods (Islam, Sultan and Afroz, 2009). Water distribution and consumption predominantly relies on monsoonal rainfall, but the natural rain is unevenly distributed in time and space resulting in oods due to erratic rainfall in one region while drought in another region of the country (Hussain, Nabi and Wu, 2021).…”