Effects of Climate Change on Drought: A Systematic Review of Drought Indices and Climate Change

Global weather patterns are greatly impacted by climate change, making droughts more frequent and severe, especially in regions with limited adaptation capacity. This review evaluates the strengths and limitations of widely used drought indices in the context of climate change. Our analysis identifies the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) and the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) as the most robust tools for monitoring drought under current and projected climate scenarios, with CMIP6 models indicating increased drought risk for vulnerable regions such as South Asia. The integration of remote sensing and artificial intelligence enhances the accuracy and adaptability of drought monitoring. The findings highlight the need for region-specific frameworks and actionable recommendations for researchers, policymakers, and technologists to improve drought resilience and management strategies.