Combination of EVI and SPI Indices for Mapping of Drought-Prone Areas (Case Study: Kurdistan Province)

Drought evaluation is important in terms of spatial and temporal for planning to reduce damages in the Kordestan province. In this research, Standardized Precipitation Index and the Enhanced Vegetation Index have been used from the extracted satellite images for determinants of drought. so, the statistical data of Meteorological stations including maximum monthly temperatures, total annual precipitation and the images of MODIS sensor have been employed. By comparing meteorological parameters such as average annual temperature, rainfall and the comparison of maps of the Standard Precipitation Index and Enhance Vegetation Index, the condition of drought has been investigated in the region in a 17-year period. The results of the two SPI and EVI indices indicate that the drought is due to rain changes have in the west-to-east direction. This phenomenon is more severe in the eastern regions whereas vegetation sensitivity and the fluctuation of its variations have been affected by precipitation changes in the north-to-south direction over the region. In this way, the southern regions have shown higher sensitivity. Southern regions are generally more vulnerable to droughts, especially in the south-east of the province. Regions with high drought sensitivity make up about 10 percent of the area regarding the regions in the province, whereas 91 percent of the area of regions with very high drought sensitivity is places where the landuse involves growing wheat with rain water.