Abstract
This work aimed to analyze and evaluate the metrological draught in Iraq. Monthly rainfall data were collected from 22 meteorological stations scattered all over Iraq for the period 1970-2010. Various statistical tests have been performed to examine the data accuracy, e.g. Consistency test, Trend analysis, as well as homogeneity test. The Standard Precipitation Index (SPI) and Theory of Runs are used to analyze the metrological draught and evaluating the draught characteristics. SPI values have been estimated for 12-month time scale, from January to December. To analyze the drought characteristics, the accumulative deficit, drought duration and intensity for each station have been estimated. The results showed that the rainfall data series considered in the study are all consistent with negative trends except Hilla station, random except Haditha and Samawah stations and homogeneous. It was shown that the study area has been suffered from sequent drought events through nearly half of the years considered in the study, and the worst were in 1997-2001 and 2007-2010 in which extreme droughts were dominated several parts of study area.
Highlights
Drought is a temporary feature resulting from prolonged absence, or deficiency or poor distribution, of precipitation (Ogallo, 1994)[1]
Numerous interpretations of drought have been offered, the most significant determinant of drought is the amount of precipitation an area gets compared to normal
Iraq is one of the countries in the middleeast region, which suffered from frequent drought events in the last decades
Summary
Drought is a temporary feature resulting from prolonged absence, or deficiency or poor distribution, of precipitation (Ogallo, 1994)[1]. It is a natural recurrent phenomenon, which occurs in different temporal and spatial scales. Drought indices are tools for measuring and analysing drought severity These indices reflect the impact of drought on different types of water sources. Iraq is one of the countries in the middleeast region, which suffered from frequent drought events in the last decades This had serious influences on the water resources, irrigated and rainfed agriculture, areas of cultivated lands, desertification and demographic distribution, which caused serious economic problems for the country. The study included analysing the rainfall data with different methods to ensure its homogeneity, consistency and randomness
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