Trends and Anomalies in Extreme Climate Indices and Influence of El Niño and La Niña over Pranhita Catchment in Godavari Basin, India

Abstract

Hydrologic design and planning requires dealing with extremes in precipitation and temperature events caused due to climate change. Long-term trends and variability in 20 extreme climate indices (ECIs) and the influence of El Niño and La Niña over the Pranhita catchment, India are studied for the period of 1951–2013. An overall increase in daily precipitation, more intense rain, and an increase in continuous dry days are observed; however, total rain shows a negative trend. A warming trend is observed with an increase in dry days, warm days, and hot nights, and a decrease in the frequency of cool days and nights. Observed