Temporal and Spatial Vvariability Analysis of Drought Hazard in Khuzestan Province Using Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI)

Drought is a natural hazard with climatic nature. It caused by the precipitation anomalies and irregularities. This paper examines the phenomenon of drought and its spatial and temporal changes in Khuzestan province. In order to determine the severity of the drought, it used Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) for spatial analysis benefits and temporal communication creation between occurrences of drought. In this study, 48 rain gauges and synoptic stations data from Khuzestan province have been used in years (1982-2014). Zoning maps of Standardized precipitation index (SPI) was drawn using ordinary kriging interpolation method during the study period and the driest and wettest years were identified. The 1999 and 2008 was severe drought years and extreme wet occurred in 1992. According to the results, 1999, 2007 and 2008 were years with the largest percentage of the area of drought and years 1991, 1992, 1997 and 2001 with the highest percentage of wet.