THE GEOGRAPHICAL STUDY OF RAINFALL PATTERN AND GEOGRAPHICAL LANDUSE IN SOLAPUR DISTRICT

Abstract

A geographical study of rainfall pattern and land use in Solapur district highlights the interdependence of climate variability and resource use in a semi-arid environment. Located in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats, Solapur receives low, erratic and unevenly distributed rainfall which significantly impacts agricultural practices and land use dynamics. Analysis based on secondary data for 2022-24 shows that the average rainfall in the district is 562.53 mm, with three tehsils (Akkalkot, South Solapur, North Solapur) falling in the high rainfall category, while drought-prone talukas like Sangola, Malshiras and Madha are under severe water stress. Land use data for 2023-24 shows that agriculture dominates with 76.5% net sown area, but challenges such as expanding fallow land, minimal forest cover and increasing non-agricultural land reflect the stress of water scarcity and soil degradation. Correlation analysis using Spearman's rank order method reveals a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.31) between rainfall distribution and land use, indicating that rainfall variability, along with geological, soil and irrigation factors, partially determines crop intensity and land use. These findings highlight the need for region-specific water resources planning, sustainable land use practices and integrated management strategies to address disparities between high-rainfall and drought-prone tehsils. This study helps in understanding the spatial imbalance in rainfall and its impact on land use, providing insights for policy formulation, agricultural planning and sustainable development in Solapur district.