Abstract:
In Mali, the annual temperature, rainfall, and evapotranspiration are high variables.
Their distributions are unevenly spread from north to south. Climate
change strengthens to increase air temperature and evapotranspiration. It also
increases the intense rainstorms and the risk of drought associated heat
waves. Drought is considered a natural disaster among all hydrologic extremes.
It causes severe damage to the environment, agriculture, and livelihoods
relying on water resources. The present study evaluated the variation of
drought indices from 1989 to 2019 in Koutiala and San districts, respectively.
Therefore, the Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI)
was applied. Hence, the Mann-Kendall (MK) test was used and for 12-month
time-scales. Trend analysis of monthly precipitation, temperature, and evapotranspiration
has been done by using the MK test. Based on the analysis
result, the climate of the Koutiala and San districts has been classified as
moderate to severe drought category. However, this result clearly shows SPEI
pattern changes in both districts. The monthly precipitation showed a significant
decreasing trend in Koutiala and San districts. In comparison, the
monthly temperature and evapotranspiration displayed an increasing trend in
both districts.
