Evaluating the spatiotemporal patterns of drought characteristics in a semi‐arid region of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Drought is a complex phenomenon resulting from below-average rainfall and is characterized by frequency, duration, and severity, occurring at a regional scale with dire consequences, especially in semiarid environments. This study used the Reconnaissance Drought Index (RDI) to assess drought severity in two district municipalities in Limpopo Province. Rainfall and air temperature data from 12 stations covering 1970–2020 were obtained from the Agricultural Research Council. The calculation of RDI relies on the monthly accumulation ratio of total rainfall to potential evapotranspiration (PET). For this study, PET was estimated using the Hargreaves and Samani temperature-based approach. The RDI results showed a high spatial–temporal variation in drought characteristics over the study area. All stations experienced extreme drought conditions in different years, with the maximum drought severity (-3.40) occurring from 2002–2003 in the western parts of the study area, indicating extreme drought. Furthermore, the results revealed continuous drought conditions over various periods, including severe droughts between 1995 and 1998 and between 2014 and 2016, with the severity varying between mild and moderate drought conditions. The results reveal notable but nonuniform drought patterns as the climate evolves, with potential implications for water availability and livelihoods. The study's findings underscore the significance of adopting multidimensional approaches to drought assessment that encompass meteorological and hydrological factors to inform strategies for adaptive water management and policy formulation in the face of a changing climate.