Regional drought risk assessment in the Central Highlands and the South of Vietnam

Abstract

This study contributes to a proof-of-concept comprehensive drought risk assessment for Vietnam by (i) incorporating drought exposure and vulnerability based on specific socio-economic conditions of the regions; and (ii) using satellite data including World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Space-based Weather and Climate Extremes Monitoring (SWCEM) products, and The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)-Enhanced U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s Soil Moisture Active Passive (SMAP) Global Data for drought hazard assessment. Drought risk assessment which incorporated hazard, exposure and vulnerability components was conducted for 27 provinces from four administrative areas in Vietnam. Drought Hazard Index (DHI) was derived using the Standardised Precipitation Index (SPI), the Vegetation Health Index (VHI), and surface soil moisture (SSM) to take into account the impact of both meteorological and agricultural drought. Drought Exposure Index (DEI) and Drought Vulnerability Index (DVI) were calculated using statistical data of land use and socio-economic characteristics obtained from Vietnam’s statistical yearbooks. By combining DHI, DEI and DVI, a composite Drought Risk Index (DRI) was derived for drought risk assessment in the selected provinces for 2020. It was shown that the highest at-risk provinces were in the Mekong River Delta, the agricultural production centre of Vietnam. The South East regions were less impacted by drought compared to other regions. The proposed comprehensive approach to drought risk assessment in Vietnam has potential to contribute to improving drought pre- paredness and resilience of communities at-risk.