Spatial Distribution and Drought Monitoring in Pothwar Region Using Satellite-Based Drought Indices and Geo-Informatics Techniques

ABSTRACT

Drought Ruins, historical cultures, information, assessment and management are crucial to survivals. Water scarcity in countries of agro-economic base such as Pakistan with poor drought management may collapse. Until now, drought mapping is ignored in Pakistan. If Pakistan can predetermine the severity of draughts along with their spatial and temporal variations, it can take better precautionary measures with some pre-management techniques and save the country from extreme losses. In this analysis of Pothwar area of Pakistan, the vicinity of drought estimation and mapping tried to fulfill. Water enrich state lost 85 percent of 3.40 MAF annual surface runoff. Spatial-temporal Agrometeorological droughts approximated for data lack, accuracy and validation with combined advance RS and GIS techniques. Non-parametric regression of statistical studies, mann-kendall and homogeneity analysis were measured in last 34 years. The drought indices SPI, SDI, and NDVI were used to estimate and track seasonal resolution. The SPI values, gathered in this study, had indicated Chakwal and Attock were highly drought prone when compared to Rawalpindi. The majority of drought occurred (92.3%) was seen coming under mild and moderate drought, and 7.7% were under the category of severe drought. The observatories in Chakwal and Attock recorded the greatest number of severe and extreme droughts when compared to the observatories in Rawalpindi and Jhelum. The SDI for the Soan river at Chirah bridge, the maximum of severe droughts for the reference periods had been observed in the last 20 years from 1990–2010. and at Dhok Pathan from 1989-2006. NDVI indicates deforestation and barren land increases. Isohytal map shows spatial distribution of rain and drought extremity observed extreme in the west region (Attock and Chakwal) was most drought prone area of the Pothwar region and it compromised 19% of total Pothwar region, while mild in the east (Rawalpindi and Jhelum) of about 2%.

Droughts Indices Used For This Project

1. Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI)
2. Stream Flow Drought Index (SDI)
3. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI)