Spatiotemporal monitoring of drought using satellite precipitation products: The case of Borena agro-pastoralists and pastoralists regions, South Ethiopia

Drought is increasingly affecting farmers in agro-pastoralist and pastoralists region. It is one of the most harmful natural disasters that significantly affects rain-fed agriculture in developing countries. Drought assessment is an important component of drought risk management. This study used CHIRPS rainfall data to monitor the characteristics of drought in Borena Zone in southern Ethiopia. The standardized precipitation index (SPI) is used to calculate the magnitude, intensity, and severity of drought during the rainy season. Results show that severe and extreme droughts were detected in the first rainy season (March to May) and second wet season (September to November). Severe and extreme droughts were detected in the first rainy/wet season in 1992, 1994, 1999, 2000, 2002–2004, 2008,2009, 2011, 2019–2021. The spatial and temporal variability of drought is highly influenced by El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in Ethiopia. Results revealed that most of the first rainy season was dry. 2011 was the driest year during the first wet season. Drought risk events in the first wet season were greater than in the second wet season. Results show that drought more frequently occurred in the northern and southern part in the first wet season. In the second rainy season extreme drought was detected in 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1996, and 1997. The results of this study will promote the importance of early warning measures, drought risk management, and food security management in the study area.