Spatiotemporal analysis of meteorological drought over Kucuk Menderes River Basin in the Aegean Region of Turkey

Meteorological drought is analyzed both in time and space by using drought indices based on site-specific precipitation and temperature data. Departure of precipitation from its normal called in this study as the Dimensionless Precipitation Anomaly Index (DPAI) is used at annual scale, while the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) using precipitation and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) using precipitation and temperature are considered at monthly time scale. Five meteorological stations over Kucuk Menderes River Basin in the western part of Turkey are selected for the case study. Results are presented in the forms of drought index time series, drought risk graphs, and drought severity maps. The prolonged severe historical dry periods of the river basin are correctly identified by the drought indices. It is seen that simple tools such as the drought indices used in this study based on easily available meteorological data could explain temporal variability at a site or spatial variability over a river basin. They are therefore important not only for the scientific community dealing with drought as a research problem but also for decision-makers, stakeholders, and end-users making practice about the drought through water allocation studies and drought management plans.