Study Of Rainfall Characteristics In The Betafo District In Madagascar

Abstract

As climate change does not spare any country, we observe a radical modification on the rainfall behavior anywhere on earth. Being an agricultural country, Madagascar needs to be alerted by these changes. This study is intended to provide more details on rainfall behavior in the district of Betafo in the agricultural region of Vakinankaratra, and contains analysis of the quantitative behavior of rainwater in Betafo as well as its quality. Quantitative analysis was based on historical datas and made using linear regression, and rainwaters were collected directly in inert container for the qualitative analysis. The collection of rainwater were done on the very first rain drop, during the second period of rainfall of the rain season, and in the middle of the rain season. In this work, we have noticed a shift in rainfall toward the first quarter of the year. And in the other hand, physical and chemical analysis of the collected rainwater revealed that they are clean yet despite environment degradation, but still not directly drinkable. Considering these results, an implementation of a good rainwater management policy, including a proper treatment strategy, is needed for the district of Betafo in order to compensate the lack of water supply which exists in the area.