Assessment of drought dynamics in Sistan and Baluchestan province using MODIS satellite data (2000-2015)

Drought and its effects is one of the world's major concerns. As one of the countries in the dry belt of the earth, Iran has always been and is facing environmental issues and natural hazards caused by drought. Therefore, this study aimed to monitor the aridity in Sistan and Baluchestan using remote sensing data and geographic information system techniques for over a period of 15 years (2015-2000). In this regard, the MODIS satellite images from 2000 to 2015 were analyzed by applying the yearly Precipitation Condition Index (PCI) and Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). Then, the drought changes were evaluated using supervised classification method and difference images. The results showed that the years 2007 and 2001 with an area of 157383.06 and 306.05 km2 had the highest and lowest levels of precipitation, and also with an area of 49511.1 and 69233.83 km2 had the minimum and maximum level of drought, respectively. The most severity change of drought has been in time for the 2002-2001 period and the place also belong to parts of Khash, Iranshahr and Sarbaz who takes 194302.93 km2 of the province. Finally, the general trend of changes in precipitation and drought is decreasing and increasing, respectively, requiring the major planning of resources conservation and risk and crisis management to rehabilitate and maintain the ecosystem of arid regions.