Drought Analysis of Iğdır Turkey

Abstract

Climate change increases the odds of worsening drought in many parts of the World. Climate projections for the Mediterranean basin in which Turkey is located expresses alarming conclusions about severe droughts. Droughts are expected to prevail in different severities and periods throughout Turkey. Iğdır plain, which lies in eastern part of Turkey is convenient for cultivation of many agricultural products because of its fertile soils and micro-climatic properties. In this study, drought analysis were carried out for Iğdır by using Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) and Streamflow Drought Index (SDI). The data (precipitation and flow) were obtained in monthly intervals from Turkish institutions, namely General Directorate of Meteorology and General Directorate of State Hydraulic Works. Study was aimed to examine the integrated effect of low precipitations and high temperatures on hydrological and meteorological drought. Annual SPI results show that four severe and three moderate drought events whereas RDI detected four severe and four moderate drought events for the study period (47 years, 1971-2018). SPI index detected severe category droughts in the water years of 1980, 1989 and 1997. RDI detected severe category droughts in the mentioned years together with one more event in 2000. SDI identified 2002 as extreme drought year, and identified 1982, 1984, 1986 and 2002 as moderate drought years. The output of the study is aimed to serve for better understanding of droughts in the Igdir Plain.