Int. J. Econ. & Environ. Geol.

Vol:1(2) 10-14

Environmental Implications of Monsoon Seasonal Rainfall on

Groundwater Regime of Rajpipla Region, Gujarat, India.
PRAMENDRA DEV AND ASHISH SHARMA
School of Studies in Earth Science, Vikram University, Ujjain, M. P. 456010, India.
([email protected], [email protected])
Abstract. The monsoon seasonal rainfall record of Rajpipla area confined to Gujarat state of India, for a period of
1987-2006, has been treated to mathematical and statistical analyses to observe variation pattern, future trends and
their environmental impacts on groundwater regime. The mathematical analysis of monsoon seasonal rainfall data
indicates a fairly good range of variation from 321.30 mm to 1319.30 mm with an average rainfall value of 925.61mm.
The years indicating positive trend of departure from the computed value of average seasonal rainfall point out
favourable intervals for recharge of ground water reservoir. The cumulative departure from the average rainfall except
for 1998 and 2006 reveals existence of negative trend. The statistical analysis of rainfall data determines statistical
parameters, which indicate rather alternative variation pattern. The forecast of future rainfall trend for a period of next
three years indicates an increasing trend in the expected rainfall amount. The environmental impacts of rainfall
phenomena have been discussed. The strategy for augmentation of rainfall amount to enhance the groundwater recharge
system for Rajpipla area has been suggested.

Introduction

the basis for computing the total water potential of a

region (Karanth, 2003).

Rainfall is a liquid form of the precipitation that acts as

one of the most important hydrometeorological parameter
governing the augmentation phenomena of groundwater
system. It is well established fact that only 3% of fresh
water occurs in streams, lakes and reservoirs, whereas
97% of available fresh water is confined to subsurface
of the earth. In the areas of limited rainfall, the
groundwater is the only reliable and vital source of fresh
water supply. In most parts of the Indian subcontinent,
the maximum rainfall is recorded during the monsoon
season that is the main source of groundwater recharge.
The environmental consequences of monsoon seasonal
variations of rainfall have been visualized by selecting
an example from Rajpipla region located in Gujarat,
Western India.

The record of monsoon seasonal rainfall data for a time

span of 20 years (1987 to 2006) pertaining to Rajpipla
area, located in the state of Gujarat of the Indian subcontinent, has been collected from P.W.C. Rajpipla (Table
1). The rainfall data have been subjected to analysis and
interpretation.

Results of Rainfall Data Analysis

The rainfall data of Rajpipla area for a period from 1987
to 2006 have been analyzed by following both the
mathematical and statistical methods of data analysis.
The mathematical method involves the determination of
average rainfall for a specific period. The average value
is calculated by dividing the amount of total rainfall by
the total period of rainfall record. The departure of rainfall
from the average rainfall determines the pattern of rainfall.
The determination of the cumulative departure of rainfall
provides the information regarding the total departure of
rainfall about the mean value, over a particular period.
The statistical method employs the determination of
parameters such as mean, median, mode, dispersion,
standard deviation, variance and the time series analysis.
A time series has been defined as a sequence of values
arrayed in order of their occurrence which can be
characterized by statistical properties by Dawdy and
Mathalas (1964). The significant movements of time
series are secular, periodic, cyclic and irregular trends.
The commonly used procedures of statistical analysis as
followed by Gupta and Kapoor (1985), Croxton et al
(1988), and Davis (2002) have been employed in the
present study.

Materials and Methods

The rainfall amount and intensity are commonly measured
by using rain gauges, which are mainly of two types:
Storage rain gauge records daily or monthly
measurements, Recording rain gauge measures the
intensity of rainfall. In India, Symons rain gauge is in
common usage. The rainwater in the gauge is measured
daily at a fixed time and is recorded in millimeters. The
rain gauge measurements are having accuracy up to
0.1mm or 0.01in. The natural siphon-recording rain
gauge provides continuous record of rainfall, its intensity
and duration (Raghunath, 1982). The rainfall data from
a number of adjacent stations can be used to depict
isohyetal lines or isohyets, which join all points that
receive the same amount of precipitation. An isohyetal
map shows a real distribution of precipitation and forms
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Table 1.Yearwise rainfall data of Rajpipla region.

Mathematical Analysis
The common method of arithmetical analysis has been
used for monsoon seasonal rainfall data for a period of
1987 to 2006 of Rajpipla area (Table 1). The rainfall
records reveal that minimum rainfall value of 30.79 mm
(October) and the maximum rainfall value of 302.15 mm
(July) with an average of 925.61 mm have been observed
(Table 1). The graphic presentation of average monthly
monsoon rainfall data for 1987-2006 has been displayed
by bar diagram (Fig. 1) that exhibits increase in amount
from July to August and a decreasing trend from August
onwards up to October. The total monsoon rainfall data
for the years (1987 to 2006) have been incorporated
(Table 1 & Fig. 2). The graphic presentation exhibits
fluctuating trend of increase and decrease in the amount
of rainfall for analysis period (Fig. 2). The rainfall pattern
indicates that the rainfall was more than the computed
average value of the annual rainfall during the years of
1988-1990, 1993, 1996-1998 and 2004-2006. These years
revealing higher values of rainfall point out favourable
period for the rainwater recharge to the ground water
reservoir. The calculated values of departure and
cumulative departure from the average rainfall are
recorded (Table 2) and the nature of rainfall pattern has
also been exhibited by graphic method (Fig. 3 & 4). The
departure of rainfall more than the average value have
been noted during the years of 1988-1990, 1993, 19961998 and 2003-2006 indicating favourable period for
groundwater recharge (Table 2, Fig. 3).

Fig. 1. Total average seasonal monthly rainfall of Rajpipla

area (1987-2007).

Fig. 2. Total rainfall of the Rajpipla area (1987-2006).

The cumulative departure pattern from the average rainfall

value (Table 2 & Fig. 4) shows that the maximum peak
of rainfall was recorded during the year of 1998. The
other subsequent peak was witnessed during the 2006.

Fig. 3. Departure trend of rainfall data of Rajpipla area,

Gujarat, India.
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Table. 2. Computation of departure and cumulative departure from the average seasonal rainfall of
Rajpipla, Gujarat, India.

These peaks indicate the prevalence of favourable periods

for sufficient infiltration of rainwater to the ground water
system.

Statistical Method
The Rajpipla rainfall data have been subjected to statistical
analysis, which involves the computations of central
tendency (mean, median, mode), skewness, dispersion,
kurtosis and time series analysis. The computed values
of statistical parameters are recorded (Table 3). This
analysis reveals that the mean rainfall of the area is 810
mm. This value is more accurate as compared to the
average value computed by the arithmetic method. The
median and mode of the rainfall data have been calculated
to be 866.66 mm and 400 mm respectively. The standard
deviation determination indicates that deviation of rainfall
is of 260 mm over a period of 20 years. The co-efficient
of variation reflects the amount in rainfall variation from
year to year. The computed value of co-efficient of
variability shows that the amount of rainfall ranges up
to 32.09 mm. The co-efficient of skewness has been
calculated as 1.57, which points out that there is a lack
of symmetry in the rainfall amount during the period of
analysis.

Fig. 4. Cumulative departure trend of rainfall data of

Rajpipla area, Gujarat, India.
The value of a and b must be determined from the
observed data. This is achieved by simultaneous solving
of two normal equations:
Sy = Na + d Sx
--------------------------------------(1)
Sxy = a Sx + b Sx ------------------------------------- (2)
The values of the different elements in the above equation
have been determined by considering y as variable
(annual rainfall) and t as constant (year). The determined
values are shown in Table 3. The determinations are made
as per the following procedure:
Sx = +10, Sy = 18512.9, Sx = 670, Sxy =17822.4

A time series determines a tendency to increase or

decrease, over a specified period. This series provides
an interesting illustration because the trend is usually
predominant, virtually no other movement is discernable
(Croxton et.al, 1988). The time series analysis provides
important information pertaining to the characterization
of the trend of a series of observations. It enables (1) to
measure the deviation from the trend and (2) provides
information on the nature of trend. Time series analysis
helps in making attempt for the forecast of the future
behavior of rainfall trend.

Substituting these values in normal equation (1) and (2),

two equations 3 and 4 are developed.
18512.9 = 20a + b10 ------------------------------------- (3)
1782.4 = 10a + b670 ------------------------------------- (4)
Solving equations (3) and (4) the values of a and b
are obtained as 919.205 and 12.88 respectively. The
future forecast of rainfall amount for a period of twenty
years from 2007 to 2009 has been made and it can reveal
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The graph showing the departure from average rainfall

(Fig. 3) shows that during the years of 1988-1990, 1993,
1996-1998 and 2003-2006, the rainfall values were more
than the average. Hence, these years are indicative of
favourable periods for groundwater recharge.

50 mm variation in the expected amount. Future forecast

is calculated by given equation:
Y = a + b (x 1992)
The time series analysis of rainfall data of Rajpipla area
reveals a negative trend in the amount and intensity of
rainfall. The possible reasons for this rainfall trend can
be assigned to the nature of topographical features and
deforestation. This trend of rainfall provides an evidence
indicator that the recharge phenomenon of ground water
system might have been affected by the amount of rainfall,
resulting in a state of depletion of the ground water levels
in the Rajpipla area.

The graph showing cumulative departure from average

rainfall (Fig. 4) exhibits that the maximum peaks occurred
during the years of 1998 and 2006 that point out maximum
rainfall during the corresponding periods indicating
sufficient infiltration of rainwater. The trend of cumulative
departure for rest of the years indicates lower values as
compared to the average rainfall revealing rather
inadequate recharge phenomena.

Table 3. Computation of statistical parameters of rainfall data Rainpipla area, Gujarat, India

Statistical analysis of the Rajpipla rainfall data reveals

that mean rainfall of the area is 810.0 mm. The computed
value of mode 400.0 mm indicates inadequate rainfall
for the area. The standard deviation value reveals that
deviation of rainfall is of 260 mm over a period of twenty
years. Coefficient of variation indicates that the amount
of rainfall varies up to 32.09. The coefficient of skewness
has been noted as 1.57, which indicates negative rainfall
trend.

Abbreviations
A
i
N
L
i
f
C

=
=
=
=
=
=
=

L
f1
f0
f2
s
N

=
=
=
=
=
=

Assumed mean
Class interval
Sum of frequency
Lower limit of median class
Magnitude of median class
Frequency of median class
Cumulative frequency of the class preceding the
median class
Lower limit of modal class
Frequency of modal class
Frequency of class preceding the modal class
Frequency of class succeeding the modal class
Standard deviation
Total frequency

The time series analysis points out a positive trend in the

amount and intensity of rainfall for coming three years.
The values of future expected rainfall trend have been
determined for the year 2007=1060.88 mm, 2008
=1073.76 mm, and 2009 =1086.64 mm.

Environmental Impacts
The rain involves negative as well as positive aspects
and its cultural environmental impacts are varied through
out the world. The rain can be harvested, whereas
excessive rain causes river flooding and scanty rain
develops the drought conditions. The rainfall plays a
most effective role in the optimum development of
agriculture. It is a well-known fact that rainfall
considerably affects the growth of plants and crops, for

Interpretation of Rainfall Data

The average rainfall of the Rajpipla area has been
calculated as 925.61 mm. The trends of departure and
cumulative departure from the average rainfall of the
study area are incorporated herein (Table 2, Fig. 3, 4).
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of plantation scheme will help in the augmentation of

groundwater resource that would solve the existing
problem of water supply.

example, tropical plants require about 250 cm rain for

their existence, while cactus survives even in a lesser
amount of rainfall. In India, rainfall plays a governing
role on growth of agriculture. It has been observed that
even a delay of few days in the advent of monsoon rainfall
affects the economy of the country.

Acknowledgement. The sincere obligation is expressed

to Department of Science and Technology, New Delhi
for granting the Project No. SR/S4/ES-21/Narmada
Window/P3. Many thanks are due to Prof. L. S. Chamyal,
Coordinator, Gujarat Window, Science of Shallow
Subsurface, D.S.T. Programme. M. S. University,
Vadodara, Gujarat, for valuable suggestions and
encouragement.

The rainfall plays a vital role in environmental entity as

a main source for the recharge of ground water system.
The rainfall data analysis of Rajpipla area indicates a
fairly good range of variations indicating the alternating
positive and negative values as compared to the average
seasonal rainfall. In the recent years, the rainfall trend
indicates positive trend. Todd (1980) stated that
Groundwater levels may show seasonal variation due to
rainfall. Drought extending over a period of several years,
contribute to declining water level. In Rajpipla area, the
depletion of ground water levels is mainly due to rainfall
factor. It is suggested herein that adoption of a proper
scheme for rainwater harvesting will enhance the
groundwater recharge phenomena. The planning of ground
water augmentation will provide a sustained water supply
in Rajpipla area.

References
Dawdy, D.R; Mathalas, N. C. (1964) Statistical and
Probability Analysis of Hydrologic Data. In:
Handbook of Applied Hydrology, Chow V. T, Section
8-III, Mc Graw Hill Book Co., p. 8.68-8.90,
NewYork, USA.
Todd, D.K. (1980) Groundwater Hydrology, John Wiley
and Sons, Inc., 535p, New York, USA.
Raghunath, H. M. (1982) Ground Water. Willey Eastern
Ltd. 456p, New Delhi, India.
Gupta, S.C; Kapoor, V.K. (1985) Fundamental of
Mathematical Statistics. Sultan Chand and Sons,
1100 p, New Delhi, India.
Croxton, F.E; Cowden, D.J; Klein, S. (1988) Applied
General Statistics. Prentice-Hall India, Pvt. Ltd.,
754 p, New Delhi, India.
Davis, J.C. (2002) Statistic and Data Analysis in Geology.
John Wiley and Sons, 638 p, New York, USA.
Karanth, K. R. (2003) Groundwater Assessment,
Development and Management. Tata Mc Graw Hill
Publ. Co. Ltd. 720 p, New Delhi, India.

Conclusion
The variation analysis of monsoon seasonal rainfall data
of Rajpipla area for a period from 1987 to 2006 indicates
a fairly good range of variation in the amount and
frequency. During recent years a positive trend exhibiting
more than the seasonal average rainfall value has been
observed. The determination of future expected rainfall
also reveals an increasing amount of rainfall during the
next three years. The augmentation of ground water
reservoir by increasing rainwater harvesting and launching

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