CHARACTERIZATION OF METEOROLOGICAL DROUGHT IN THE REGION OF MARAHOUÉ (CENTER-WEST OF CÔTE D'IVOIRE: CONTRIBUTION OF THE STANDARDIZED PRECIPITATION INDEX (SPI))

Marahoue region in western of Cote d’Ivoire is a high agricultural area under frequent climatic disturbances mainly due to high rainfall variability. The aim of this study is to assess the effects of drought on water resources, in order to propose mitigation or adaptation strategies to the people. To do this, an analysis of rainfall data was done by computing standardized precipitation indices (SPI) at different time scales: 3 months, 6 months, 12 months and 24 months in Zuenoula (1972-2000), Bouafle (1940-2001), and Sinfra (1966-2000). These short-term indices (03 months and 06 months) indicate that the study area observed a moderate drought on 24.14% to 42.86% of the total time analyzed. To means term (12 months), 24.14% to 37.14% of the time analyzed recorded a moderate drought. In the long term (24 months) the SPI values indicate that 31.67% to 42.42% of the total time analyzed recorded a moderate drought; 6.06% to 11.67% of the total time analyzed is marked by severe drought.