Analysing Drought Intensity in the Mekong River Delta using Time Series Analysis and Google Earth Engine

Abstract

This study aims to examine variations in drought severity in the Mekong River Delta, Vietnam using the Normalized Difference Water Index (NDWI) derived from the Landsat satellite images. The spatial analysis approach integrated Theil-Sen slope and Mann-Kendall significance tests were applied to time-series NDWI data from 1989 to 2018 and to estimate the spatiotemporal dynamics of drought in the study area. Results showed that drought increased in large area (approximately 13,675.38 square kilometres) and covered almost the Mekong River Delta. However, upward trend was significant observed in coastal areas, particular in Kien Giang and Ca Mau provinces.