How to Use This Calculator
- Enter the rainfall amounts for the last 24, 48, and 72 hours. These values should be in millimeters (mm).
- If you have information about rainfall that occurred before 72 hours ago, enter it in the "Antecedent Rainfall" field.
- Select the type of soil in your area from the dropdown menu (Sandy, Loamy, or Clayey).
- Click the "Calculate" button to compute the Antecedent Precipitation Index and related metrics.
- The calculator will display the API value, estimated soil moisture percentage, and flood risk level.
Understanding the Results
The Antecedent Precipitation Index (API) combines recent rainfall patterns to estimate soil moisture levels. This information is valuable for:
- Flood forecasting and early warning systems
- Irrigation scheduling in agriculture
- Land management planning
- Water resource allocation
Soil Type Considerations
Different soil types have varying water retention capacities:
- Sandy: Drain quickly, requires frequent watering
- Loamy: Balanced water retention, ideal for most crops
- Clayey: Retains water well but can become waterlogged
Flood Risk Levels
- Low: Soil moisture is insufficient to cause flooding
- Medium: Soil is saturated, increasing flood risk
- High: Critical soil saturation levels, significant flood danger