Rainfall Intensity–Duration–Frequency Curves Using Cluster and Regional Frequency Analyses
Publication: Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 29, Issue 5
Abstract
This study exemplifies the need for updated intensity–duration–frequency curves in Sri Lanka to better reflect current climate conditions. The coupled use of cluster analysis and regional frequency analysis was effective for identifying 11 meteorologically homogeneous regions, leading to the development of new regional intensity–duration–frequency curves. Data screening techniques identified reliable daily and hourly maximum rainfall records, enabling the classification of Sri Lanka into these regions. The regions capture the varying rainfall patterns across the country, from wet zones to arid zones. The curves were constructed for return periods ranging from 2 to 200 years for the selected meteorologically homogeneous regions covering durations up to 72 h. The curves provide updated empirical formulas for estimating rainfall intensity for different durations and return periods, crucial for hydrological designs. Comparison with previous intensity–duration–frequency curves highlights significant differences, especially in short-term intensities, likely due to recent climate variability. The newly developed regional intensity–duration–frequency curves are recommended for water resource management projects, although the study suggests further analysis over longer periods with additional data for enhanced accuracy. Overall, the study fills a long-standing need for updated intensity–duration–frequency relationships in Sri Lanka.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Data Availability Statement
All models and codes supporting this study’s findings are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request. The data used during the study are proprietary and may only be provided with restrictions.
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the Director and staff of the Hydrology Division of the Irrigation Department of Sri Lanka for providing the necessary data.
References
Alvares, C. A., J. L. Stape, P. C. Sentelhas, J. L. D. M. Gonçalves, and G. Sparovek. 2013. “Köppen’s climate classification map for Brazil.” Meteorol. Z. 22 (6): 711–728. https://doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2013/0507.
Álvarez-Villa, O. D., J. I. Vélez, and G. Poveda. 2011. “Improved long-term mean annual rainfall fields for Colombia.” Int. J. Climatol. 31 (14): 2194–2212. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.2232.
Ayuso-Muñoz, J. L., A. P. García-Marín, P. Ayuso-Ruiz, J. Estévez, R. Pizarro-Tapia, and E. V. Taguas. 2015. “A more efficient rainfall intensity-duration-frequency relationship by using an 'at-site' regional frequency analysis: Application at Mediterranean climate locations.” Water Resour. Manage. 29 (9): 3243–3263. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11269-015-0993-z.
Baghirathan, V. R., and E. M. Shaw. 1978. “Rainfall depth-duration-frequency studies for Sri Lanka.” J. Hydrol. 37 (3–4): 223–239. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-1694(78)90018-5.
Basumatary, V., and B. S. Sil. 2017. “Generation of rainfall intensity-duration-frequency curves for the Barak river basin.” Meteorol. Hydrol. Water Manage. 6 (1): 1–11.
Burn, D. H. 2014. “A framework for regional estimation of intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves.” Hydrol. Processes 28 (14): 4209–4218. https://doi.org/10.1002/hyp.10231.
Dahmen, E. R., and M. J. Hall. 1990. Screening of hydrological data: Tests for stationarity and relative consistency. Wageningen, Netherlands: International Institute for Land Reclamation and Improvement.
de Souza Costa, C. E. A., C. J. C. Blanco, and J. F. de Oliveira-Júnior. 2020. “IDF curves for future climate scenarios in a locality of the Tapajós Basin, Amazon, Brazil.” J. Water Clim. Change 11 (3): 760–770. https://doi.org/10.2166/wcc.2019.202.
Dharmasena, G., and S. Premasiri. 1990. Rainfall intensity studies for Sri Lanka, 38–52. Colombo, Sri Lanka: Institute of Engineers.
Diyabalanage, S., T. Navarathna, H. T. K. Abeysundara, S. Rajapakse, and R. Chandrajith. 2016. “Trace elements in native and improved paddy rice from different climatic regions of Sri Lanka: Implications for public health.” Springerplus 5 (1): 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40064-016-3547-9.
Elsebaie, I. H. 2012. “Developing rainfall intensity—Duration—Frequency relationship for two regions in Saudi Arabia.” J. King Saud Univ. Eng. Sci. 24 (2): 131–140.
ESCAP. 2021. ASIA-PACIFIC Riskscape@ 1.5 C: Subregional pathways for adaptation and resilience: Asia Pacific Disaster Report 2022 for ESCAP subregions: Summary for policymakers. Bangkok, Thailand: United Nations.
Eszergár-Kiss, D., and B. Caesar. 2017. “Definition of user groups applying Ward’s method.” Transp. Res. Procedia 22 (Jan): 25–34. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trpro.2017.03.004.
Fadhel, S., M. A. Rico-Ramirez, and D. Han. 2017. “Uncertainty of intensity–duration–frequency (IDF) curves due to varied climate baseline periods.” J. Hydrol. 2017 (547): 600–612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2017.02.013.
Feng, J., D. Yan, C. Li, Y. Gao, and J. Liu. 2014. “Regional frequency analysis of extreme precipitation after drought Events in the Heihe River Basin, Northwest China.” J. Hydrol. Eng. 19 (6): 1101–1112. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)HE.1943-5584.0000903.
Gaál, L., J. Á. N. Szolgay, M. Lapin, and P. Faško. 2009. “Hybrid approach to delineation of homogeneous regions for regional precipitation frequency analysis.” J. Hydrol. Hydromech. 57 (4): 226–249. https://doi.org/10.2478/v10098-009-0021-1.
Gnecco, I., A. Palla, P. La Barbera, G. Roth, and F. Giannoni. 2023. “Defining intensity–duration–frequency curves at short durations: A methodological framework.” Hydrol. Sci. J. 68 (11): 1499–1512. https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2023.2224002.
Gubareva, T. S., and B. I. Gartsman. 2010. “Estimating distribution parameters of extreme hydrometeorological characteristics by L-moments method.” Water Resour. 37 (4): 437–445. https://doi.org/10.1134/S0097807810040020.
Hailegeorgis, T. T., T. Sveinn, and A. Knut. 2013. “Regional frequency analysis of extreme precipitation with consideration of uncertainties to update IDF curves for the City of Trondheim.” J. Hydrol. 498 (Aug): 305–318. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2013.06.019.
Hershfield, D. M. 1961. Rainfall frequency ATLAS of the UNITED STATES. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Commerce, Weather bureau.
Hosking, J. R. 1990. “L-moments: Analysis and estimation of distributions using linear combinations of order statistics.” J. R. Stat. Soc. B 52 (1): 105–124.
Hosking, J. R. M. 2019. “Regional frequency analysis using L-moments.” R foundation for statistical computing (3.3). R package. Accessed August 29, 2023. https://rdrr.io/cran/lmomRFA/.
Hosking, J. R. M., and J. R. Wallis. 1997. Regional frequency analysis. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press.
Iresh, A. D. S. 2020. “Screening of annual rainfall time-series data in Kala Oya Basin: Case study in Sri Lanka.” Engineer 53 (2): 69–75. https://doi.org/10.4038/engineer.v53i2.7414.
Irizarry, M. 2016. Determination of future intensity-duration-frequency curves for level of service planning projects, Internal Report. West Palm Beach, FL: South Florida Water Management District.
Irizarry-Ortiz, M. M., J. F. Stamm, C. Maran, and J. Obeysekera. 2022. Development of projected depth-duration frequency curves (2050–89) for south Florida. Washington, DC: USGS. https://doi.org/10.3133/SIR20225093.
Kaluba, P., K. M. J. Verbist, W. M. Cornelis, and E. Van Ranst. 2017. “Spatial mapping of drought in Zambia using regional frequency analysis.” Hydrol. Sci. J. 62 (11): 1825–1839. https://doi.org/10.1080/02626667.2017.1343475.
Kendall, M. G. 1948. Rank correlation methods. London: Griffin.
Kourtis, I. M., and V. A. Tsihrintzis. 2022. “Update of intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves under climate change: A review.” Water Supply 22 (5): 4951–4974. https://doi.org/10.2166/ws.2022.152.
Koutsoyiannis, D., D. Kozonis, and A. Manetas. 1998. “A mathematical framework for studying rainfall intensity-duration-frequency relationships.” J. Hydrol. 206 (1–2): 118–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0022-1694(98)00097-3.
Lanciotti, S., E. Ridolfi, F. Russo, and F. Napolitano. 2022. “Intensity–duration–frequency curves in a data-rich era: A review.” Water 14 (22): 3705. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14223705.
Lim, D. U., K. D. Suh, and N. Mori. 2013. “Regional projection of future extreme wave heights around Korean Peninsula.” Ocean Sci. J. 48 (4): 439–453. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12601-013-0037-7.
Mahdi, E. S., and M. Z. Mohamedmeki. 2020. “Analysis of rainfall intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves of Baghdad city.” IOP Conf. Ser.: Mater. Sci. Eng. 888 (1): 012066. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/888/1/012066.
Mann, H. B. 1945. “Nonparametric tests against trend.” Econometrica: J. Econometric Soc. 13 (3): 245–259. https://doi.org/10.2307/1907187.
Mauriño, M. F. 2004. “Generalized rainfall-duration-frequency relationships: Applicability in different climatic regions of Argentina.” J. Hydrol. Eng. 9 (4): 269–274. https://doi.org/10.1061/(ASCE)1084-0699(2004)9:4(269).
Mirhosseini, G., P. Srivastava, and L. Stefanova. 2013. “The impact of climate change on rainfall Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves in Alabama.” Reg. Environ. Change 13 (S1): 25–33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10113-012-0375-5.
Nandalal, K. D. W., and P. Ghnanapala. 2017. “Development of IDF curves for Colombo.” Eng. J. Inst. Eng. Sri Lanka 50 (1): 33–39. https://doi.org/10.4038/engineer.v50i1.7242.
Naveendrakumar, G., M. Vithanage, H. H. Kwon, M. C. M. Iqbal, S. Pathmarajah, and J. Obeysekera. 2018. “Five decadal trends in averages and extremes of rainfall and temperature in Sri Lanka.” Adv. Meteorol. 2018 (1): 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1155/2018/4217917.
Nepal, S. 2016. “Impacts of climate change on the hydrological regime of the Koshi river basin in the Himalayan region.” J. Hydro-environ. Res. 10 (Mar): 76–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jher.2015.12.001.
Nhat, L. M., Y. Tachikawa, and K. Takara. 2006. “Establishment of intensity-duration-frequency curves for precipitation in the monsoon area of Vietnam.” Annu. Disas. Prev. Res. Inst. 49 (Part B): 93–103.
Norbiato, D., M. Borga, M. Sangati, and F. Zanon. 2007. “Regional frequency analysis of extreme precipitation in the eastern Italian Alps and the August 29, 2003 flash flood.” J. Hydrol. 345 (3–4): 149–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2007.07.009.
Perica, S., D. Martin, S. Pavlovic, I. Roy, M. St. Laurent, C. Trypaluk, D. Unruh, M. Yekta, and G. Bonnin. 2013. “Cited 2014: NOAA Atlas14: Precipitation-frequency atlas of the United States, Volume 9, Version 2.0.” Accessed September 6, 2023. http://www.nws.noaa.gov/oh/hdsc/PF_documents/Atlas14_Volume9.Pdf.
Ranatunga, D. G. L. 2001. “Towards more efficient hydraulic and hydrological design of cross drainage structures using new developed intensity duration frequency equations.” Trans. 2001 Part B, Inst. Eng. Sri Lanka 1 (3–4): 1–12.
Saf, B. 2010. “Assessment of the effects of discordant sites on regional flood frequency analysis.” J. Hydrol. 380 (3–4): 362–375. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhydrol.2009.11.011.
Santos, E. B., P. S. Lucio, and C. M. S. E. Silva. 2015. “Precipitation regionalization of the Brazilian Amazon.” Atmos. Sci. Lett. 16 (3): 185–192. https://doi.org/10.1002/asl2.535.
Shamkhi, M. S., M. K. Azeez, and Z. H. Obeid. 2022. “Deriving rainfall intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves and testing the best distribution using EasyFit software 5.5 for Kut city, Iraq.” Open Eng. 12 (1): 834–843. https://doi.org/10.1515/eng-2022-0330.
Trebuńa, P., and J. Halčinová. 2012. “Experimental modelling of the cluster analysis processes.” Procedia Eng. 48: 673–678. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2012.09.569.
Van, D. K. W. A., A. M. Spaans, and W. J. Heiser. 2005. “Instability of hierarchical cluster analysis due to input order of the data: The PermuCLUSTER solution.” Psychol. Methods 10 (4): 468. https://doi.org/10.1037/1082-989X.10.4.468.
Ward, J. J. H. 1963. “Hierarchical grouping to optimize an objective function.” J. Am. Stat. Assoc. 58 (301): 236–244. https://doi.org/10.1080/01621459.1963.10500845.
Weerabangsa, M. Z., S. Himanujahn, A. D. S. Iresh, and B. C. L. Athapattu. 2023. Flood frequency analysis for Upper Kalu River Basin at Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.” In Proc., 2023 Moratuwa Engineering Research Conf. (MERCon), 403–408. New York: IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/MERCon60487.2023.10355531.
Weibull, W. 1939. “A statistical theory of strength of materials.” Royal Inst. Eng. Res. 151 (151): 1–45.
Wright, P., K. Junkins, J. P. Hock, M. Martin, and H. A. Dallas. 2012. “Evaluating runoff predictions from rainfall tables and generalized distribution curves for EFH-2 and WinTR-20 in New York State Written for presentation at the 2012 ASABE Annual International Meeting Sponsored by ASABE.” Accessed September 3, 2023. www.precip.net.
Yan, L., L. Xiong, C. Jiang, M. Zhang, D. Wang, and C. Y. Xu. 2021. “Updating Intensity-Duration-Frequency curves for urban infrastructure design China.” Wiley Interdiscip. Rev.: Water 8 (3): e1519. https://doi.org/10.1002/wat2.1519.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Hydrologic Engineering
Volume 29 • Issue 5 • October 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Sep 5, 2023
Accepted: Apr 15, 2024
Published online: Aug 1, 2024
Published in print: Oct 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Jan 1, 2025
ASCE Technical Topics:
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.