This document analyzes the spatial and temporal distribution of drought in the far and mid-western regions of Nepal. It identifies major drought events using the Standardized Reconnaissance Drought Index at various weather stations from 1982-2012. Results show drought events across all stations, with those at higher and lower altitudes experiencing more frequent drought. Extreme droughts coincided with periods of lowest precipitation. The document concludes that lack of precipitation during the summer monsoon and winter seasons is the primary factor for drought in these regions of Nepal.

1. Spatial and Temporal distribution of drought
in far and mid western region of Nepal
Dr. Hemu Kafle
Senior Scientific Officer
Science Division, NAST
Date: 2/2/2015

2. What is Drought??
Droughts are recurring
climatic events, bringing
significant water
shortages, economic
losses and adverse
social consequences.
Of all the natural disasters, the
economic and environmental
consequences of drought are among
the highest, due primarily to the
longevity and widespread spatial and
extent of many droughts (Willhite
2000).

3. Agriculture contributes 38% of Nepal’s GDP and employs two-thirds of the
work force. However, only 20% of the land is arable and only 40% of such
arable land in Nepal is irrigated. Hence agricultural output relies largely on
favorable weather conditions, its growth is weak compared to other countries
in South Asia, and in recent years the rate has slowed.
Recent and potential
future increases in
global temperatures
are likely to be
associated with
impacts on the
hydrologic cycle,
including changes to
precipitation and
increases in extreme
events such as
droughts.
Why Drought Study in Nepal ??

4. Total Edible Food Availability and Requirements in Far and Mid western
region in 2009/10
Source: Seppanen and Chand, 2012
Since the 1990s, Nepal has regularly
experienced an annual food deficit,
and is reliant on imports from India
and other neighboring countries.

5. 1. use a suitable drought index to identify major droughts for
Far and mid western region of Nepal
2. discuss the spatial and temporal characteristics of drought
events
3. quantify the severity and frequency of the major drought
events; and
4. evaluate the nature of the precipitation and temperature
associated with major drought events in Far and mid
western region of Nepal
Objectives :

6. Station Name Latitude Longitude Altitude Period Physiographic regions
Dadeldhura 29o 18' 80o 35' 1848 1982-2010 Middle mountain
Silgadhi Doti 29o 16' 80o 59' 1360 1987-2012 Middle mountain
Chainpur (west) 29o 33' 81o 13' 1304 1987-2010 Himalayan region
Darchula 29o 51' 80o 34' 1097 1989-2012 High mountain
Patan (Baitadi) 29o 14' 80o 56' 720 1988-2011 Middle mountain
Dipayal (doti) 29o 14' 80o 56' 720 1988-2011 Middle mountain
Dhangadhi 28o 48' 80o 03' 187 1982-2011 Terai
Mahendra nagar 29o 02' 80o 13' 176 1987-2012 Terai
Tikapur (kailali) 28o 32' 81o 07' 140 1988-2012 Terai
Far Western
development
Region :

7. Station Name Latitude Longitude Altitude Period Physiographic regions
Jumla 29o 17' 82o 10' 2300 1982-2012 Himalayan region
Musikot 28o 38' 82o 29' 2100 1988-2012 High mountain
Salyan Bazar 28o 23' 82o 10' 1457 1988-2011 Middle mountain
Dailekh 28o 51' 81o 43' 1402 1987-2011 Middle mountain
Tulsipur 28o 08' 82o 18' 725 1982-2011 Terai
Surkhet 28o 36' 81o 37' 720 1982-2012 Siwalik
Khajura (Nepaljung) 28o 06' 81o 34' 190 1982-2011 Terai
Mid Western
development
Region :

8. Results….
RDI index of all studied stations:
Standardized Reconnaissance Drought Index is equivalent to SPI index
SPI Category
Less than -1.0 Moderate drought
Less than -1.5 Severe drought
Less than -2.0 Extreme drought

9. Far western Region:
Year Dadeldhura Silgadhi Chainpur Darchula Patan Dipayal Dhangadhi Tikapur
1986 -1.05
1987 -1.4 -1.33
1989 -1.43
1992 -1.33 -1.65 -1.86 -1.07
1993 -1.82
1994 -1.36 -1.55 -1.35 -1.68 -1.59 -2.02
1999 -2.3 -2.42 -1.43
2000 -1.38
2001 -1.17 -1.03
2004 -1.4 -1.2
2005 -1.86
2006 -1.7 -1.21
2007 -1.53
2008 -1.52
2010 -2.69 -1.12 -1.38

10. Mid western Region:
Year Jumla Musikot Salyan Bazar Dailekh Tulsipur Surkhet Khajura
1984 -1.81
1987 -1.11 -1.32
1989 -2.66
1991 -1.4
1992 -1.61 -1.5
1993 -1.16
1994 -1.31 -2.03 -1.29
1996 -2.21
1998 -2.241
1999 -1.53
2002 -1.56
2004 -1.36
2005 -1.42
2006 -1.76 -1.28 -1.1
2009 -1.31
2010 -2.25 -2.86
2011 -1.56
2012 -1.79

11. Precipitation and Temperature trend of five selected stations
representing five different Physiographic region (Terai,
Siwalik, Middle Mountain, High Mountain and Himalayan
region) of Far and mid western region of Nepal…….

15. Conclusion
1. There were clear drought events in all of the studied stations.
2. Stations in higher altitude (Himalayan) and lowest altitude (Terai)
has experienced greater number of droughts then in other regions.
3. Some stations have experienced drought in same year, but we could
not see any specific trend according to physiographical region /
altitude.
4. Extreme drought events occurred when precipitation recorded its
lowest range.
It is clear that the major factor for drought in Far and mid western
region of Nepal is the lack of precipitation linked with summer
monsoon and wintertime circulations.

16. Thank you