Publication

Abstract : Cherrapunji, irrespective of its fame as the second wettest place in the world today, is facing hyper-arid and extremely dry conditions in winter and pre-monsoon seasons. To assess this phenomenon, historical daily rainfall data for 123 years (1901–2024) along with the region’s surface and groundwater resources, have been studied. Mann-Kendall (MK) and Modified Mann-Kendall (MMK) test based on autocorrelation, Sen’s slope, Peak Over Threshold (POT), Aridity Index (AI), Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI) and low flow have been used to fathom patterns. An annual decreasing trend in rainfall of 8.4 mm has been found. Monthly rainfall trends show a decrease in March (0.578 mm/year), April (1.419 mm/year), July (1.593 mm/year) and August (1.84 mm/year) while December shows an increasing trend (0.005 mm/year).