Comprehensive Study on Rainfall Frequency Analysis for Sustainable Water Resource Management in District Khushab, Pakistan

Abstract

This paper addresses the critical role of rainfall frequency analysis in sustainable water resource management and infrastructure development, particularly in the context of a dynamically changing climate. Focused on the District Khushab region in Pakistan, the study delves into the methodologies and advancements associated with rainfall frequency analysis, emphasizing concepts like return period, probability distribution, and various frequency analysis methods. The research underscores the imperative to comprehend the evolving complexities of rainfall patterns for mitigating flood risks, designing resilient water management systems, and preparing communities for extreme weather events. The integration of climate change considerations further enhances the utility of rainfall frequency analysis, providing essential insights for researchers and practitioners to anticipate and adapt to future hydrological challenges. The literature review explores historical approaches to frequency analysis, emphasizing the development of regional techniques and the utilization of the index flood procedure to pool statistics from diverse sites.
In the methodology section, data collection from various rainfall stations in the project area is detailed, with a thorough analysis and verification process. Limitations of available data for certain stations lead to the selection of relevant rainfall stations with sufficient data for further analysis. Results from frequency analysis, based on the correlation of Joharabad rainfall data with nearby stations (Mianwali and Sargodha) and actual rainfall data, highlight the reliability of correlated rainfall data for hydrological modeling. The paper concludes by underscoring the necessity for a minimum of 30 years of rainfall data for accurate and realistic assessments in the frequency analysis, and the adopted results will contribute to computing peak flood discharges for hill torrents, aiding in effective water resource management in the project area.