Application of Remote Sensing Technology for Drought Monitoring in Mahasarakham Province, Thailand

Abstract

Drought, a natural phenomenon, has been found often in Mahasarakham province. It has impact on vegetation in the area. Due to the reason, the objective of the study is to develop a methodology to detect drought in the area using vegetation spectrum in different periods of the satellite passing over the area in Mahasarakham province, approximately 5,291.6830 sq.km. The Normalized Vegetation Index (NDVI) obtained from the Modis data has been used in order to detect the vegetation condition in the study area. In addition, the Standardized Vegetation Index (SVI) was used to examine the area with the NDVI difference from the average value of NDVI in the same period. This can reflect the drought through the vegetation index. However, the study has discovered that in the year 2010, the drought in the area was the most severe. The second and the third most severe droughts occurred in 2007 and 2012 respectively. The study has deployed the analyzing technique and the formation of drought according to spatial and time factors. Different satellite images obtained from the Modis data revealed the formation and type of droughts effectively. This will be useful for the preparation of the drought mitigation in the area for concern agencies.