Hazard assessment of drought and climate change in Khorasan Razavi Province

Climate change refers to changes expected in climate behavior of a region than behavior over a long period of time for the information recorded in the area. Drought can occur in any geographic area and it could be have a major impact on the region as an environmental phenomenon known and an integral part of climate change. Scientists know climate phenomena particularly, consecutive droughts and extreme as most important cause of desertification and its extension. In this study, the risk of climate change and drought in Khorasan Razavi were assessed during a 23-year period (1989-2011). Climate change was obtained at the provincial level using Do marten and temperature changes indexes. To evaluate drought, it was used two indicators as PNPI & SIAP. Based on risks of climate change, results showed that 76 % of the province affected by very severe risk, 11.1% severe risk, and 12.8% no risk. The risk of drought based on SIAP, 4.9 % of the province affected by severe risk, 64.4% moderate risk and 30.7% low risk. Based on PNPI, 49.3% of the province affected by severe risk, 19.9% moderate risk and 30.7% low risk. It seems that Khorasan Razavi province has more area about drought risk based on PNPI.