Veysi KARTAL

Drought Assessment of Siirt using SPI and SPEI

Introduction

Drought assessment of siirt using spi and spei. Assess meteorological drought in Siirt, Turkey (1957-2022) using SPI and SPEI. Analyze precipitation, temperature, and evaporation to identify wet/dry periods and aid water resource planning.

Abstract

Turkey is in the semi-arid semi-humid mid-latitude region. Therefore, drought, one of the destructive effects of climate change, is a fundamental problem for the country, part of which is in the semi-arid climate zone. To evaluate the drought of Siirt province in Turkey, a total of 792 time series were evaluated. In this study, meteorological drought analysis was carried out in Siirt province, located in the Southeastern Anatolia region, monthly and annual periods using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) method and SPEI. Meteorological data (temperature, evaporation, and precipitation) from Siirt province between 1957-2022 were used. The results showed that the monthly and annual values of SPI and SPEI showed almost similar results at the selected stations for annual time scales. Although there were periods of severe drought, normal drought levels were observed in the overall average. The wet and dry periods were identified, and the results were presented graphically. As a result, the trend results in the region will contribute to the water resources planning management.

Review

This study, "Drought Assessment of Siirt using SPI and SPEI," addresses a critically important topic, particularly given Turkey's geographical position in a semi-arid to semi-humid mid-latitude region highly susceptible to the impacts of climate change. The paper undertakes a timely and relevant meteorological drought analysis in Siirt province, a region where water resource management is increasingly challenged by climatic variability. A significant strength lies in the use of a comprehensive, long-term meteorological dataset spanning 1957-2022, providing a robust historical perspective for understanding drought patterns. The authors effectively employ two widely recognized and complementary drought indices, the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), applied across both monthly and annual time scales. The finding that SPI and SPEI yield "almost similar results" at annual time scales across selected stations is noteworthy and warrants deeper exploration in the full manuscript, particularly considering SPEI's incorporation of temperature and evaporation, which are crucial indicators of drought severity in a warming climate. While the abstract mentions observing "periods of severe drought," it also notes "normal drought levels" in the overall average. Elucidating the interplay between these extreme events and the long-term average, perhaps by discussing drought frequency, duration, and intensity, would enhance the findings. The identification and graphical presentation of wet and dry periods are valuable contributions. Overall, this study presents a foundational drought assessment for Siirt province, offering valuable insights into its hydro-climatic vulnerability. The meticulous application of established methodologies and the analysis of a multi-decadal dataset position this work to significantly contribute to regional water resources planning and management. The identification of drought trends, once fully elaborated in the main text, will be instrumental in informing adaptive strategies and bolstering resilience against future climatic challenges. This research serves as an important baseline for further in-depth hydrological and socio-economic impact studies in the region.

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