Proceedings of the International Conference on Dynamics of Environment, Sustainability, and Gender Disparities: A Holistic Dialogue for Inclusive Futures (ICDESGD 2025)

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Regional Rainfall Disparities and Monsoon Dynamics in Kerala: Insights for Climate Adaptation

Authors
Hamna Kazhakam Chalil1, *, I. Sahadudheen2, C. Mohammed Kasim3
1Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Kunnamangalam Government Arts & Science College, Kozhikode, Kerala, India, 673601
2Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Farook College (Autonomous), University of Calicut, Kozhikode, Kerala, India, 673632
3Assistant Professor, Department of Economics, Farook College (Autonomous), University of Calicut, Kozhikode, Kerala, India, 673632
*Corresponding author. Email: mailmeathamnakc@gmail.com
Corresponding Author
Hamna Kazhakam Chalil
Available Online 6 May 2026.
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-575-1_10How to use a DOI?
Keywords
Rainfall variability; Monsoon dynamics; Seasonality Index (SI); Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI); Climate adaptation; Kerala
Abstract

This study analyses seventy years (1951–2020) of rainfall patterns in Kerala, focusing on long-term variability, extreme events, monsoon divergence, and seasonal rainfall concentration. Monthly rainfall data from 83 stations across all 14 districts were used to create a time series at both district and state levels, based on arithmetic means. Statistical tools such as the Seasonality Index (SI), Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI), Pettitt test, Mann-Kendall trend test, and Sen’s slope estimator were applied to assess temporal and spatial rainfall trends. The results reveal notable intra-state variations. Northern districts like Kasaragod, Kannur, and Wayanad exhibit higher rainfall seasonality and concentration, making them more vulnerable to water stress and extreme events. In contrast, southern coastal regions benefit from more evenly distributed rainfall due to the combined influence of the Southwest and Northeast monsoons. Although statewide trends do not show a statistically significant decline in rainfall, some districts, particularly Wayanad, have experienced notable decreases, posing risks to agriculture and local ecosystems. The study also identifies changes in the timing of monsoon onset and withdrawal, especially post-1990s, indicating increased climatic variability. Overall, the findings point to evolving rainfall dynamics in Kerala, with critical implications for agriculture, disaster preparedness, and water management. The study underscores the need for localized climate adaptation strategies to address the region-specific impacts of changing monsoon patterns and rainfall distribution.

Copyright
© 2026 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

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Volume Title
Proceedings of the International Conference on Dynamics of Environment, Sustainability, and Gender Disparities: A Holistic Dialogue for Inclusive Futures (ICDESGD 2025)
Series
Advances in Social Science, Education and Humanities Research
Publication Date
6 May 2026
ISBN
978-2-38476-575-1
ISSN
2352-5398
DOI
10.2991/978-2-38476-575-1_10How to use a DOI?
Copyright
© 2026 The Author(s)
Open Access
Open Access This chapter is licensed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/), which permits any noncommercial use, sharing, adaptation, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license and indicate if changes were made.

Cite this article

risenwbib
TY  - CONF
AU  - Hamna Kazhakam Chalil
AU  - I. Sahadudheen
AU  - C. Mohammed Kasim
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/05/06
TI  - Regional Rainfall Disparities and Monsoon Dynamics in Kerala: Insights for Climate Adaptation
BT  - Proceedings of the International Conference on Dynamics of Environment, Sustainability, and Gender Disparities: A Holistic Dialogue for Inclusive Futures (ICDESGD 2025)
PB  - Atlantis Press
SP  - 138
EP  - 162
SN  - 2352-5398
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2991/978-2-38476-575-1_10
DO  - 10.2991/978-2-38476-575-1_10
ID  - Chalil2026
ER  -