BEHAVIOUR AND MAGNITUDE OF CHANGING CLIMATE PATTERN IN CENTRAL PUNJAB: A CASE STUDY OF LUDHIANA DISTRICT

The changing climate pattern in terms of maximum and minimum temperature, rainfall and relative humidity were analyzed based on relevant time series data/information for about four decades in Ludhiana district of Punjab using statistical tools such as coefficient of variation, graphical representation and samples mean (t-test) for periodical shifts. The study has brought out that during the last four decades, region experienced significant increase in average temperature (both maximum as well as minimum temperature) for the months of February, March, April, August and November. Similarly, months of May, October and December experienced significant increment of average minimum temperature. On the whole, consistent rise in average monthly temperature leading to enhanced level of warming has been observed. Significant changes in rainfall were observed in months of March, September, October, November and December. Among these, average rainfall in the months of March, November and December showed a significant decrease while September and October months showed a significant increase over the last about four decades. Monthly relative humidity increased in almost all months except April. In case such climate trend continues over the next few decades, may have detrimental effects on the agricultural output if suitable climate adaptive strategies are not put in place with top priorities in terms of suitable research and development.