Climatic shifts and water balance under different rainfall scenarios in North Bihar

There is significant climatic fluctuations from year to year in almost every region of the world. The climatic variability have major impacts on the hydrological cycle and water balance components in the nature leading to significant changes in water availability to crops. Long-term climatic data were analyzed in two districts (Madhepura and Pusa) of Bihar to study the trend in climatic shifts and water balance components. Both the locations are characterized as dry sub-humid type climate. Out of total 52 analyzed years, 44.4% of the years showed abnormal shifts either towards wet or drier sides. Average annual water surplus over these years was 428.5 and 713.2 mm at Pusa and Madhepura, respectively. Based on these wet and drier years, water balance parameters were analyzed under different magnitude of rainfall. Based on the climate shift and water balance model, it may be suggested to grow high water requiring crops in the region. However, the crops should be able to withstand terminal stress. Proper water management strategy is required to store the excess surface water during excess rainfall periods.