Drought trend analysis in a semi-arid area of Iraq based on Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, Normalized Difference Water Index and Standardized Precipitation Index

Drought was a severe recurring phenomenon in Iraq over the past two decades due to climate change despite fact that has been one of most water-rich countries Middle East past. The Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR) is located north Iraq, which also suffered from extreme drought. In this study, drought severity status Sulaimaniyah Province, four provinces IKR, investigated for years 1998 2017. Thus, Landsat time series dataset, including 40 images, were downloaded and used study. Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) Water (NDWI) utilized as spectral-based indices Standardized Precipitation (SPI) employed meteorological-based index, assess analyse changes vegetative cover water bodies. study area experienced precipitation deficiency 1999, 2000, 2008, 2009, 2012. Study findings revealed drop by 33.3% year 2000. Furthermore, significant shrinkage bodies observed Lake Darbandikhan (LDK), lost 40.5% its total surface 2009. statistical analyses significantly positively correlated with SPI LDK (correlation coefficients 0.92 0.72, respectively). relationship between NDVI-based vegetation positive but not significant. Low did always correspond drought; delay effect on NDVI year.