Journal of New Approaches in Water Engineering and Environment
Scientific Journal

A INTEGRATED APPROACH USING SPEI and REMOTE SENSING INDICES for DROUGHT MONITORING and ASSESSING

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Sajad Zareie 1
Farhad Farhadmanesh 1
Hassan Khosravi 2

1 Department of Remote Sensing and GIS, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Khuzestan, Iran

2 Department of Arid and Mountain Reclamation Engineering, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Karaj, Alborz, Iran.

10.22034/nawee.2026.579655.1210
Abstract
Objective: In this research, remote sensing indices and SPEI climatic index over 1-year, 5-year, and 10-year intervals were used to monitor and evaluate drought in Khuzestan Province.
Methods: Landsat data and climatic data from 13 meteorological stations over a 30-year period (1993-2023) were used. NDVI, LST, MNDWI, NDSI, and SPEI index were processed. Google Earth Engine was used to extract remote sensing indices, R-STUDIO was used to calculate SPEI, and Python was used for statistical analyses and plotting.
Results: The northern and eastern regions of province experienced higher drought severity over 5-year period. NDVI indicated that vegetation increased in central areas and decreased in the mountains. MNDWI showed fluctuations in water bodies, and NDSI indicated a decrease in snow cover. LST showed an increase in land surface temperature, and SPEI identified long-term drought periods at stations such as Abadan and Baghmalek; however, improved moisture conditions were observed in Dezful/Sardasht.
Conclusions: Remote sensing indices were more effective at detecting short-term (1-year) changes and providing spatial data, whereas SPEI was more suitable for analyzing long-term patterns (5 and 10 years) and identifying prolonged drought periods. Furthermore, increased LST, decreased NDSI, and fluctuations in water bodies indicate the combined effects of drought and climate warming in Khuzestan. Results showed that drought was not uniform across different regions of province. The northern and eastern regions were more vulnerable over the 5-year period, whereas central areas were in better condition due to their proximity to water resources and development of agricultural lands.

Keywords

Drought
Remote Sensing Indices
SPEI
Time Series
Khuzestan
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Journal of New Approaches in Water Engineering and Environment
Volume 5, Issue 3
Summer 2026
Pages 161-186

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