Analysis of trends, recurrences, severity and frequency of droughts using standardised precipitation index: Case of OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa
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, seve...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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AOSIS
2022-02-01
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| Series: | Jàmbá |
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| Online Access: | https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/1147 |
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| author | Melezwa Khamisa Simbarashe Ndhleve Motebang D.V. Nakin Asabonga Mngeni Hlekani M. Kabiti |
| author_facet | Melezwa Khamisa Simbarashe Ndhleve Motebang D.V. Nakin Asabonga Mngeni Hlekani M. Kabiti |
| author_sort | Melezwa Khamisa |
| collection | DOAJ |
| 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-11T04:40:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c570b6bd576e422c965942ad76a69697 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-845X 1996-1421 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-11T04:40:22Z |
| publishDate | 2022-02-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Jàmbá |
| spelling | doaj.art-c570b6bd576e422c965942ad76a696972022-12-22T01:20:38ZengAOSISJàmbá2072-845X1996-14212022-02-01141e1e1010.4102/jamba.v14i1.1147386Analysis of trends, recurrences, severity and frequency of droughts using standardised precipitation index: Case of OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South AfricaMelezwa Khamisa0Simbarashe Ndhleve1Motebang D.V. Nakin2Asabonga Mngeni3Hlekani M. Kabiti4Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, MthathaRisk and Vulnerability Science Centre, Walter Sisulu University, MthathaRisk and Vulnerability Science Centre, Walter Sisulu University, MthathaDepartment of Biological and Environmental Science, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, MthathaRisk and Vulnerability Science Centre, Walter Sisulu University, MthathaSouth 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.https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/1147agricultural droughtclimate changehydrological droughtmeteorological drought monitorstandardised precipitation index |
| spellingShingle | Melezwa Khamisa Simbarashe Ndhleve Motebang D.V. Nakin Asabonga Mngeni Hlekani M. Kabiti Analysis of trends, recurrences, severity and frequency of droughts using standardised precipitation index: Case of OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa Jàmbá agricultural drought climate change hydrological drought meteorological drought monitor standardised precipitation index |
| title | Analysis of trends, recurrences, severity and frequency of droughts using standardised precipitation index: Case of OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| title_full | Analysis of trends, recurrences, severity and frequency of droughts using standardised precipitation index: Case of OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| title_fullStr | Analysis of trends, recurrences, severity and frequency of droughts using standardised precipitation index: Case of OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| title_full_unstemmed | Analysis of trends, recurrences, severity and frequency of droughts using standardised precipitation index: Case of OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| title_short | Analysis of trends, recurrences, severity and frequency of droughts using standardised precipitation index: Case of OR Tambo District Municipality, Eastern Cape, South Africa |
| title_sort | analysis of trends recurrences severity and frequency of droughts using standardised precipitation index case of or tambo district municipality eastern cape south africa |
| topic | agricultural drought climate change hydrological drought meteorological drought monitor standardised precipitation index |
| url | https://jamba.org.za/index.php/jamba/article/view/1147 |
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