[Objective] The spatial and temporal variation characteristics and disasters of rainstorms in Gansu Province in recent 50 years were studied in order to provide a scientific basis for the rainstorm climate prediction, disaster prevention and reduction in this area.[Methods] Based on the daily precipitation data of 29 meteorological stations in Gansu Province from 1968 to 2017, linear trend, Mann-Kendall abrusttest test, Morlet wavelet transform and other methods were used.[Results] ① Longdong area was the high-frequency center of heavy rain in Gansu Province, followed by Longnan, and the lowest in Hexi Corridor and Longxi area. ② Rainstorm days in Gansu Province showed an upward trend in the recent 50 years and increased significantly in July, but decreased in May. ③ The rainstorm in Gansu Province experienced less-less-more-less-less progress in the recent 50 years. Most of the interdecadal variations, except for the 1980s and 1990s, were greatly influenced by the autumn rainstorm, the other years were greatly influenced by the summer rainstorm. ④ The oscillation periods of rainstorm days and rainstorm volume in Gansu Province were almost the same. There were two short periods of 8-year and 3-year, the 8-year cycle of rainstorm days was more obvious than the 3-year cycle, and rainstorm volume was the opposite. During the study period, there was no abrupt change in the rainstorm days. The rainstorm volume was an abrupt change point in 1977. ⑤ The change of rainstorm in recent 50 years might be due to global warming and the intensification of East Asian monsoon.[Conclusion] The increase of rainstorms in Gansu Province in recent 50 years caused more floods and droughts. It was necessary to strengthen the rainstorm monitoring and disaster prevention and relief work in Gansu Province.