A Study of Severe and Extreme Drought in Central Dry Zone of Myanmar

The objective of this study is to examine the severe and extreme drought conditions in the Central part of Myanmar. The study covers (15) Stations in Lower Sagaing Region, Magway Region, Mandalay Region and Nay Pyi Taw Union Territory. (30) Years Monthly rainfall data from 1990-2019 were used with spi_sl_6 Package to compute the (3) Month Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI-3). Study found that severe and extreme drought years or driest years in Central Myanmar dry zone stations are associated with moderate and strong El Nino years. The results of the present study are very likely to be support for developing climate risk management, local climate change adaptation activities, drought hazard mapping, and formulating local drought policy.