Satellite-Based Run-Off Model for Monitoring Drought in Peninsular Malaysia

Mazlan Hashim,Mohamad Ali,Muhammad Nadzri,Mohammad Hossain,Abdull Mohd Yusoff,Amin Pour,Nadzri Reba,Mohd Mahmud,S Jaw

doi:10.3390/rs8080633

Abstract

Traditional in situ observation interpolation techniques that provide rainfall data from rain gauges have limitations because they are discrete point-based data records, which may not be sufficient to assess droughts from a spatiotemporal perspective. Considering this limitation, this study has developed a run-off model—a fully satellite-based method for monitoring drought in Peninsular Malaysia. The formulation of the run-off deficit uses a water balance equation based on satellite-based rainfall and evapotranspiration data extracted respectively from calibrated TRMM multi-satellites precipitation analysis data (TMPA) and moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer data (MODIS). The run-off deficit was calculated based on per pixel spatial scale and allowed to produce the continuous and regular run-off maps. The run-off model was tested and evaluated in a one drought year (2005) within a span of three years (2003–2005) over the Kelantan (3448 km2) and Hulu Perak (3672 km2) catchments of Peninsular Malaysia. The validation results show that (1) monthly TMPA rainfall and MODIS evapotranspiration data significantly improved after calibration; (2) satellite-based run-off data is not only strongly correlated with actual steam flow, but also with spatiotemporal variation of run-off in drought-affected forest catchments. The most severely drought-affected forest catchments that experienced the run-off deficits were Hulu Perak, Ulu Gading, Gunung Stong and Relai over Kelantan. The real time run-off change analysis shows that drought started in January and reached its peak in July of 2005. It was therefore demonstrated that this fully satellite-based run-off deficit model is as good as a conventional drought-monitoring indicator, and can provide not only drought distribution information, but it also can reflect the drought-induced impacts on stream flow, forest catchment and land-use.

Highlights

Validation of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Multi Satellites Precipitation Analysis Data (TMPA) Rainfall Calibrated with Un-Calibrated Data
Than the latter, which may be due to a maritime effect around Bayan Lepas, which is located on the Penang island
This study provides a basic guideline on how droughts can be monitored and assessed operationally using satellite observations

Summary

Introduction

There are four types of droughts: (1) meteorological (deficit in rainfall from normal); (2) agricultural (crop-response to deficit in soil moisture); (3) hydrological (deficit in runoff, or shortage of streamflow in catchments; and (4) socioeconomic 2016, 8, 633 mentioned three types) drought. Droughts have always an impact on economies, societies and the environment [1,2]. Intensity, frequency, and geographic extent of droughts will have enormous impacts on the hydrological cycle, water management and crop production [3,4,5]. It is essential to develop a quantitative measurement technique that can reliably be used for monitoring and predicting drought events [6,7]. Precise and accurate spatial information of drought extent and temporal patterns is critically needed for assessing drought impacts, developing drought mitigation strategies, and minimizing drought-risks [8,9]

Objectives

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion