Investigation of drought-threatened areas through different drought indexes: A case study in Mersin, Türkiye

Abstract

Global climate change is having a growing impact all around the world. Drought is one of the
most destructive effects of global climate change in the Mediterranean basin. The study area
is Mersin, which is located in southern Türkiye and is threatened by drought. Therefore, a
drought analysis of the research area was conducted. Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI),
Palmer Hydrological Drought Index (PHDI), Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), and
Standardized Precipitation-Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) were chosen as drought indices
that employ climatic data. The indices were calculated, and graphs were created. As a result,
it was concluded that Mersin is at risk of drought.