[A-HW28] Hydrology and Water Environment

[AHW28-P02] Distinct drought characteristics in the understudied areas of the Mekong Delta, Vietnam: Inland, Coastal, and Islands

*Yu Tsuha¹, Hiroaki Somura¹, Tram Ngoc Quynh Vo, Toshitsugu Moroizumi¹ (1.Okayama University )

Keywords:Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Drought Tendency, Water Resource Instability, Inland , Coastal, Islands

Water resource vulnerability caused by uneven precipitation and water distribution has been a significant concern in various regions worldwide, including the Mekong Delta. While numerous studies have assessed drought tendencies across much of the Mekong Delta, some areas have been overlooked. This study focused on these overlooked areas, which include one inland area, one coastal area, and two islands, collectively referred to as “understudied areas.” Meteorological drought intensity, frequency, and duration in these areas were analyzed using different time scales of the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) over the period from 1994 to 2020. Distinct drought characteristics were observed across the study areas. The results showed that severe drought events were most prevalent in inland areas from 2011 onward, while the coastal areas experienced the highest occurrence of extreme drought events. Additionally, drought intensity, frequency, and duration trends were identified within the same delta region, demonstrating that combining SPI with other indicators effectively detects drought patterns in the Mekong Delta. These findings highlight the importance of conducting a comprehensive evaluation of drought tendencies, including in understudied areas, to improve understanding of drought characteristics and support future water resource management.