Droughts in Pakistan: A spatiotemporal variability analysis using the standardized precipitation index

We investigated the spatiotemporal variability of drought incidence in Pakistan during 1960–2007 by calculating Standardized Precipitation Index fields for 3-, 6- and 12-month scales using gridded precipitation data. Principal component analysis revealed that droughts are wide-spread and often occur...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Xie H, Ringler, Claudia, Zhu, T., Waqas A
Formato: Journal Article
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: Informa UK Limited 2013
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/52146
Descripción
Sumario:We investigated the spatiotemporal variability of drought incidence in Pakistan during 1960–2007 by calculating Standardized Precipitation Index fields for 3-, 6- and 12-month scales using gridded precipitation data. Principal component analysis revealed that droughts are wide-spread and often occur simultaneously over large areas. Furthermore, spectral analysis identified a 16-year drought recurrence period. Three such drought-intensive periods were identified: the late 1960s to early 1970s; the middle 1980s; and the late 1990s to early 2000s. Hence, drought patterns need to be integrated into long-term water planning as well as emergency preparedness.