Observed Changes in Meteorological Drought Events during 1981–2020 over Rwanda, East Africa

Drought is one of the most complex natural phenomena affecting life and livelihood people, especially in current time human-induced climate change. This research employs ground-based observations to assess recent spatiotemporal characteristics meteorological drought events over Rwanda. The examined based on Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) (SPI) at seasonal annual scales from 1981 2020. Man–Kendal test was used evaluate trends rainfall, temperature, SPEI values scale during March May (MAM) October December (OND) seasons. analysis revealed nonsignificant (8.4 mm/decade), MAM (?3.4 OND (4.5 mm/decade) while an apparent significant increasing trend surface air temperature obtained (0.19 °C/decade), (0.2 (0.23 °C/decade) slices. Overall, indicated that country more prone moderate than severe extreme However, intensity, duration, frequency differ spatially among findings this study inform policy decision-makers past experienced behavior, which can serve as a baseline for future mitigation adaptation plans.