Investigation of Meteorological Drought Characteristics of the Great Man-Made River Region (Libya)

Abstract

AbstractIn this study, located in the Great Man-Made River region, meteorological drought analysis were conducted for five monitoring stations in Northern Libya, the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) method and the Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) method were used to determine meteorological drought using monthly total precipitation data, and using mean monthly temperatures data and total monthly precipitation data, respectively. The drought analysis using DrinC software of the Great Man-Made River region for 1-, 3-, 6-, and 12-months SPI and RDI values were conducted and examined in detail. According to the SPI-12 month index values, the driest period was determined by 86% in Tripoli Airport and Nalut station, and the least dry period was determined at Sirt station by 39%, and as a result of the analyzes that were conducted, according to the values of the RDI-12 month index, the longest period was determined drought in Zuara station in the year 2000–2001. It was noted that the year 2000–2001 was one of the driest years of all stations, and the other years with high drought rates were 1981–1982, 1984–1985, and 1992–1993.KeywordsStandardized Precipitation Index (SPI)Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI)Meteorological drought analysesThe Great Man-Made River RegionLibya