Article

Pranav B. Mistry, The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda; T.M.V. Suryanarayana ,The Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda

Drought assessment is very important to manage water resources in lean period. It plays vital role in managing water demands especially in agriculture sector. In the present study, monthly rainfall and potential evapotranspiration data for 102 years (i.e., 1901 to 2002) were collected and analysed for drought assessment. The dry periods were calculated using meteorological drought indices i.e. Reconnaissance Drought Index for various time scales of RDI-3, RDI-6, RDI-9 and RDI-12. The outcomes of the study shows that RDI-12 gives finest results as compared to other time scales because it considers all 12-month of hydrologic year for calculation. Amongst the period considered, the normal dry, moderate drought, severe drought and extreme drought conditions occurred for 29%, 6%, 6% and 4% respectively. Considering only the drought years i.e. (46 Years) normal dry, moderate drought, severe drought and extreme drought conditions exists for 65%, 13%, 13% and 9% respectively. It is recommended that more accurate predictions are achieved using longer duration of RDI-12 index in drought monitoring systems for water resources planning and water management in the present study.Based on the findings of this research, it is recommended that the RDI index should be used as the proper drought index in drought monitoring systems for water resources planning and management in Banaskantha.