Stream flow trends in up and midstream of Kirindi Oya river basin in Sri Lanka and its linkages to rainfall

Trend analysis of hydro-climatic variables provide useful information for effective planning, designing and management of water resources and agricultural production. Trends in observed stream flow at upstream and midstream gauging stations (GS), Wellawaya, Thanamalwila & rainfall and temperature in the Kirindi Oya river basin were assessed using the Mann-Kendall, Modified Mann-Kendall and Sen’s slope. Average rainfalls for the two catchments and for the entire basin were computed using ‘Thessen polygon’ method. The relationships between trends in stream flow and catchment rainfall were studied by Spearman’s Rho correlation coefficient (ρ).