Analysis of trends, recurrences, severity and frequency of droughts using standardised precipitation index: Case of OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa

Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Analysis of trends, recurrences, severity and frequency of droughts using standardised precipitation index: Case of OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
 
Creator Nkamisa, Melezwa Ndhleve, Simbarashe Nakin, Motebang D.V. Mngeni, Asabonga Kabiti, Hlekani M.
 
Subject Agriculture; Geography agricultural drought; climate change; hydrological drought; meteorological drought monitor; standardised precipitation index
Description South Africa is susceptible to droughts. However, little documentation exists on drought occurrence in South Africa at national, provincial and municipal administrative boundaries. This study profiles hydrological drought in OR Tambo District Municipality from 1998 to 2018, computing frequency, severity and intensity in order to show areas of high vulnerability. Data used were obtained from South African Weather Services. Standardised precipitation index (SPI) was calculated using the Meteorological Drought Monitor (MDM) software. Results showed a wide variation in monthly precipitation throughout the year. Coastal areas receive higher rainfall than inland municipalities. The study revealed that Nyandeni experienced the highest drought frequency of 62%, Mhlontlo (58%), King Sabatha Dalindyebo Municipality (57%), Ngquza Hill (55%) and Port St Johns Municipality showing the least at 52%. Hydrological drought severity frequency and duration varied between seven days and nine weeks. Drought intensity class exposed the annual average intensity for the five local municipalities represented as follows: KSDM (–0.71), PSJM (–0.99), Ngquza Hill (–0.81), Nyandeni (–0.71) and Mhlontlo (–0.62). The longest drought duration across OR Tambo was experienced in 2014 with durations varying from 3 to 11 weeks across the municipalities. OR Tambo District Municipality is susceptible to hydrological droughts and the extent varies across local municipalities. Results could be used for both adaptation planning and mitigating the impacts of future droughts. In addition, they could assist in guiding allocation of drought relief resources in ways that prioritise drought prone and vulnerable municipality.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor South African Weather Services
Date 2022-02-25
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — —
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/jamba.v14i1.1147
 
Source Jàmbá: Journal of Disaster Risk Studies; Vol 14, No 1 (2022); 10 pages 1996-1421 2072-845X
 
Language eng
 
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https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/1147/2223 https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/1147/2224 https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/1147/2225 https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/1147/2226
 
Coverage Eastern Cape; South Africa — Climate Data
Rights Copyright (c) 2022 Melezwa Nkamisa, Simbarashe Ndhleve, Motebang D.V. Nakin, Asabonga Mngeni, Hlekani M. Kabiti https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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