Classification of Drought Indicators for the Southern Hamrin Hills Area – Diyala Using Palmer (PDSI)

Abstract

Drought is defined according to Palmer as a lack of moisture supplies over a period of several months or years within a specific area (1). The study aims to classify and determine drought patterns using the PDSI drought index, in the Hamrin Hills and the extent of their exposure to drought for the period (1999-2023) through remote sensing data, to produce drought type maps for the region and the possibility of updating their data. The problem is determined by the possibility of employing geographical technologies to detect drought patterns using the Palmer drought severity index. The region is located astronomically between longitudes (44.45.16-45.23.26) east and latitudes (34.23.31- 33.56.30) see Figure (1). Data from satellite stations were relied upon for the period (1991-2023) from the website https://climate.northwestknowledge.net. After using the Palmer index, it became clear that the characteristic (very severe drought) is the prevailing characteristic of the region.