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Abstract
We investigated the spatiotemporal variability of drought incidence in Pakistan during 1960–2007 by calculating Standardized Precipitation Index fields for 3-, 6- and 12-month scales using gridded precipitation data. Principal component analysis revealed that droughts are wide-spread and often occur simultaneously over large areas. Furthermore, spectral analysis identified a 16-year drought recurrence period. Three such drought-intensive periods were identified: the late 1960s to early 1970s; the middle 1980s; and the late 1990s to early 2000s. Hence, drought patterns need to be integrated into long-term water planning as well as emergency preparedness.
Acknowledgement
The research presented in this paper was supported by the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS) (under the project Impacts of Climate Extremes on Future Water and Food Security in South Asia and East Africa) as well as the CGIAR Research Program on Policies, Institutions, and Markets (PIM) through the Pakistan Strategy Support Program (PSSP). Any findings, conclusions and opinions expressed in this papers are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the CGIAR Research Programs and PSSP.