Historical Drought Characterization in Awash River Basin, Ethiopia

Abstract

This research is intended to characterize drought intensity, duration, and areal extent of meteorological drought in the Awash River basin. Using rainfall data and evapotranspiration data is useful to determine the spatial distribution and characteristics of drought and understanding the characteristics is important for monitoring and establishing an early warning system. Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) was used for the identification of drought conditions, Mann-Kendall test is used for determining the trend, and ArcGIS is used to analyze the areal extent of drought in the Awash River Basin. The basin is affected by mild, moderate, severe, and extreme drought in different years. The duration of dry months ranges between 1- 4 months. Severity is increasing in the upper and middle Awash basin. There is also an aerial shift of extreme drought from the lower basin to the upper and middle part of the basin. The worst drought in recorded in 2015 by its intensity, duration, and areal extent.