ASSESSMENT OF RAINFALL VARIABILITY IN A HUMID TROPICAL ENVIRONMENT OF NIGERIA
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Abstract
This study analysed rainfall variability over Port Harcourt. A 60-year annual rainfall data was obtained from the Nigeria Meteorological Agency (NIMET) from 1963 – 2022 to examine the reliability of rainfall variability. Using the Kruskal Wallis test and T-test, it was revealed that there is no significant variability in rainfall pattern over Port Harcourt. Results showed that 1.3% variability was accounted for during the period reviewed. The year 1966 recorded the highest average rainfall of about 2,940mm followed by 2007 with average 2,899mm. The least rainfall year was in 1983 with an average of 1,632mm. While about 90 % and 33 % of annual average was above 2,000mm and 2,500mm respectively, 10 % of annual values was below 2,000mm. The average annual rainfall amount for the period was 2,336 mm. Further analysis showed an average of 6, 500.5mm and -6,329.8mm rainfall amount gained and in deficit respectively during the successive years leading to a surplus of 170.7mm for the 60 years reviewed. This shows that there is a slight balance of rainfall trend over the years. The year 2008 recorded the highest deficit of -865.8mm from the previous year (2007) while 1993 had the highest gains of 580.2mm from the previous year (1992). Rainfall pattern for Port Harcourt showed that recent flood experience is significantly due to incessant built-up areas with increasing population without adequate plans for evacuation of rainfall induced flood. It is recommended that Policy Makers make provisions for adequate drainage for quicker flood discharge in Port Harcourt.
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References
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