Analysis of Meteorological Drought for Selected Districts of Saurashtra Region of Gujarat

Drought, in particular, is a complex and recurring phenomenon triggered by insufficient precipitation or changes in its distribution, often resulting in decreased water availability. It evolves slowly, affecting large populations' access to food and water, disrupting the entire hydrological cycle, and causing long-term economic losses. The present study attempts a comprehensive analysis of meteorological drought characteristics for selected districts (Junagadh, Amreli, Jamnagar, and Rajkot) in the semi-arid Saurashtra region of Gujarat. The analysis of meteorological drought was performed using rainfall (RF), maximum temperature (Tmax), and minimum temperature (Tmin) data from four stations (each district has one station) for the 43 years duration (1981–2023). The Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) is utilized across multiple timescales to assess the number of drought affected years, occurrence of drought and drought parameters (total drought duration, magnitude, and intensity). The meteorological drought incidence varied significantly across Junagadh, Amreli, Jamnagar and Rajkot, with Junagadh experiencing droughts in 29% of years, Amreli in 32%, and higher rates in Jamnagar (37%) and Rajkot (36%). The most severe drought years in the four districts were 1987 and 2002, with additional major droughts occurred in 1985, 1986, 1987, 1993, 2002 and 2012. These districts also faced consecutive droughts from 1985 to 1987 and again from 1999 to 2002.Analysis of drought parameters in Junagadh, Amreli, Jamnagar and Rajkot districts showed that drought duration (DD) ranged from 29.46% (Junagadh) to 35.85% (Jamnagar) of months, drought magnitude (DM) varied between -37.58% (Jamnagar) and -34.10% (Junagadh), and drought intensity (DI) spanned from -1.17 (Rajkot) to -1.04 (Junagadh). The analysis of drought occurrence in all districts shows that mild and moderate droughts have been most frequent while severe and extreme droughts have been less common. The study's findings enhance water managers' understanding of how climate change influences drought patterns in the region, thereby assisting policymakers in conducting effective drought risk assessments.