Return Periods of Extreme Meteorological Droughts during Monsoon in Bangladesh

Abstract

The Objective of the Present Study is to Characterize Extreme Droughts during Monsoon (June to September) when Rain-Fed Crops are Grown in Bangladesh. Fifty Years (1963-2012) Rainfall Data Recorded at Twenty-Nine Stations in Bangladesh is Analysed Using Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) to Reconstruct the Historical Droughts during Monsoon with Various Severities. the Extreme Droughts Events are Identified from the Reconstructed SPI Time Series and their Distribution in Time is Recognized by Fitting Various Frequency Distribution Curves. Finally, the Best Fitted Distribution is Used to Calculate the Return Periods of Extreme Droughts. the Results Show that Extreme Droughts during Monsoon Occur once in Every 18 Years in Northwest Bangladesh. it is Expected that the Study will Help in Planning Adaptation Strategies to Mitigate the Impacts of the Droughts.