Characterization of drought conditions using drought indices calculator (DrinC)

Abstract

Accurate assessment of drought magnitude is crucial for evaluating its consequences and developing effective mitigation strategies. Drought indices serve as vital tools for monitoring and characterizing drought as they simplify complex climatic data. In this study, drought indices were calculated using the DrinC software for Anantapur district, an area known for low rainfall in Andhra Pradesh, India. Among 30 years, 6 years were affected by drought (lowest 20% below much normal) and the most affected years were 1992, 2002, 2003, 2009, 2013 and 2014 (Fig.1) as shown by decile method for Anantapur region. The SPI index showed a similar trend but identified only four years i.e., 2002, 2003, 2013, and 2014 as severely dry. The remaining drought years identified by the decile method, such as 1992 and 2009, were classified as moderately dry under SPI. The RDI index exhibited a similar trend to that of the SPI. The results demonstrated that these approaches can support the development of effective preparedness plans to address the impacts of drought.