Spatiotemporal Analysis of Rainfall Variability in the Sana’a Basin, Yemen: An Integrated Remote Sensing and GIS Approach
Sana’a Basin in the Central Highlands of Yemen is critical economic importance for drinking water, as well as for rainfed and irrigated agriculture. Consequently, and any shift in rainfall patterns profoundly impact both groundwater recharge on the one hand, and crop ecosystems on the other hand. This study aims to analyze precipitation dynamics in the Sana’a Basin, by analyzing data from 26 meteorological stations distributed across the region to understand the temporal and spatial variations in rainfall. The research utilizes datasets from the National Water Authority for the period from 2010 to 2024. The results revealed significant spatial heterogeneity in rainfalldistribution, with the northeastern and central regions experiencing minimal precipitation, while the western and southern areas recorded considerably higher levels. These patterns are largely driven by orographic lifting and atmospheric dynamics. The observed trends indicate that a systematic decline in rainfall at multiple stations suggests prolonged aridification in specific zones, which could detrimentally affect groundwater replenishment, agricultural productivity, and water security. Conversely, localized increases in rainfall at certain stations suggest potential climate-induced shifts that may elevate flood risks or, alternatively, improve water availability. Furthermore, the study validates the effectiveness of integrating satellite based observations (TRMM) to complement field data, particularly in data-scarce regions. These findings underscore the urgent need for continuous monitoring and the implementation of adaptive water management strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate variability on the basin’s fragile water resources.
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