Estimating Drought Severity and Frequency in Jableh (Lattakia-Hmeimim Airport) Using the Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI)

Abstract

Drought is one of the most important extreme hydroclimatological phenomena, that poses a major challenge to sustainable development and environmental stability, drought today is one of the major threats facing Syria, due to its negative impacts in agriculture, the economy and the environment. This study aims to estimate the severity and frequency of drought at the (monthly, seasonal and annual) levels in Jableh (Lattakia-Hmeimim Airport) during the period (1960-2023) using the Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI). The results showed that May was the month most exposed to extreme drought and March to severe drought, while January was the month most exposed to moderate drought. Autumn was the most exposed to extreme and moderate drought, while spring was the most exposed to severe drought. At the annual level, extreme drought occurred three times at the study station with a recurrence rate of (4.76%). The hydrological year (2013-2014) was the most extreme, with an RDI value of (-3.07), followed by the hydrological year (1972-1973) with an RDI value of (-2.16).