Evaluation of the effects of meteorological drought on ground water table fluctuations (Case study: Hormozgan Province, Iran)

Abstract

Drought as a natural but temporary imbalance of water availability is the interaction between natural environment and human life resulting in diminished water resources availability and reduced carrying capacity of the ecosystems. Drought indices are essential elements for an efficient drought monitoring system. These indices make the transforming information of climatic anomalies easier and allow the scientists to quantitatively assess the climatic anomalies. In this research drought condition in Hormozgan province, Iran based on RDI and SPI was studied and the effects of drought on groundwater resources have been studied as well. The highest correlation in almost all plains is related to long term periods (24 months) which show that drought becomes more important and hazardous in long term periods. However higher correlation of some plains like Minab plain with RDI&SPI 3 month shows the quick response of this plain to the meteorological droughts. The results are very useful tool for planners and decision makers to monitor the region based on its susceptibility to drought.