Analysis of Drought Risk Areas in the Huai Sam Mor Basin Using the Generalized Monsoon Index

Abstract

Huai Sam Mor is a subbasin of upper Chi River basin, located in northeast of Thailand. The water crisis in this area is a water shortage caused by drought. Drought in this area is affected by several factors, such as insufficient rainfall, an inadequate or rather shallow reservoir, and a low capacity for water absorption in the soil. a poor water-holding capacity of soil. The objective of this research was to analyze the drought risk area in the Huai Sam Mor basin using the Generalized Monsoon Index (GMI), which is the agriculture drought investigation to analyze the water scarcity that affects plants growing during the monsoon season, incorporating comprehensive information of meteorology, hydrology, and geographic information system. There were 4 stations in this river basin where the Department of Meteorology collects rainfall data. The results reveal that the frequency of extreme drought events in the Southwest Monsoon of Khokphochai district was 42 percent of all events, while the Phu-Khiao district accounted for 42 percent of all events. In addition, the frequency of the extreme drought event in the Northeast Monsoon of Khon-Sawan district was 44 percent of all events, and Phu-Khiao district was 22 percent of all events.