Characterizing Meteorological Droughts in Nepal: A Comparative Analysis of Standardized Precipitation Index and Rainfall Anomaly Index

Drought is an environmental disaster related to the extremes (on a drier side) in hydrometeorology. The precipitation amount modulates drought Nepalese river basins. It vital for efficient water resources management quantify and understand drought. This paper aims characterize droughts Nepal based on standard index (SPI) rainfall anomaly (RAI) using daily data assess their impacts annual crop yields. We used 41 years (1975–2015) of compute monthly means then indices, namely, SPI RAI, at 123 stations across Nepal. Results showed that northwest eastern regions experienced compared other regions, although severity duration were shorter. For 101 308, we found extreme events after 2005 SPI-1, SPI-3, SPI-6. However, SPI-6, was also observed 1989 1994 both stations. year 1992 one severest western where crossed more than −2.0 all months. Similar SPI, RAI revealed similar degree country. region depicted higher areas beyond 2004. lesser seen far west part 2005. results could equally be analyze severity. More frequent incidents have been 2010 considered With increase severity, yield (such as paddy, maize, barley, millet, wheat) has directly impacted. These might significant planning resource irrigation systems.