Saipriya et al. (2026) Space-time variability of rainfall attributes across urban agglomerations of Peninsular India and implications for sustainable growth

Identification

• Journal: Urban Climate
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-05-19
• Authors: S.R. Saipriya, Satish Kumar Regonda, Balaji Rajagopalan
• DOI: 10.1016/j.uclim.2026.102950

Research Groups

• Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, India
• Department of Climate Change, Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, India
• Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering, University of Colorado Boulder, USA
• Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences, University of Colorado, Boulder, USA

Short Summary

This study evaluates rainfall dynamics across 63 urban agglomerations in Peninsular India to identify spatio-temporal variability and provide a scientific basis for sustainable urban growth.

Objective

• To conduct a holistic assessment of rainfall variability (annual, monsoon, post-monsoon, and annual maximum) across urban agglomerations in Peninsular India to understand water scarcity and flood risks.

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: 63 Urban Agglomerations (UAs) across Peninsular India.
• Temporal Scale: Long-term analysis, including the identification of change-points in the mid-20th century.

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Change-point detection, Mann-Kendall test (for long-term trends), Moving window approach, and Clustering.
• Data sources: Observed rainfall data (specific source not detailed in the provided text).

Main Results

• Identified distinct change-points in annual (AR), annual maximum (AMR), monsoon (MR), and post-monsoon (PMR) rainfall during the mid-20th century.
• Observed a decrease in AR, MR, and PMR in southwestern urban agglomerations (Western Ghats region).
• Found that trends in annual maximum rainfall (AMR) are more diverse compared to other attributes.
• Identified four distinct temporal trend patterns using the moving window approach, facilitating the identification of water-stressed agglomerations.

Contributions

• Develops a framework for evaluating spatio-temporal rainfall changes specifically for urban agglomerations.
• Provides a scientific foundation for integrating rainfall variability into urban action plans, policy strategies, and sustainable development solutions.

Funding

• Not specified in the provided text.

Citation

@article{Saipriya2026Spacetime,
  author = {Saipriya, S.R. and Regonda, Satish Kumar and Rajagopalan, Balaji},
  title = {Space-time variability of rainfall attributes across urban agglomerations of Peninsular India and implications for sustainable growth},
  journal = {Urban Climate},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1016/j.uclim.2026.102950},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.uclim.2026.102950}
}