Uso del índice de precipitación estandarizado para la evaluación de la intensidad de la sequía en la provincia de Holguín

Droughts are extreme climatic events of great complexity that cause economic losses from their direct and indirect impacts. They can be monitored by using different indices, among which is the standardized precipitation index (SPI). The work was developed with the objective of evaluating the intensity of the drought in the province of Holguin by using the standardized precipitation index. The monthly rainfall records, between 1975 and 2017, of the meteorological stations of La Jíquima, Guaro, Pinares de Mayarí and Velasco were used. The standardized precipitation index was determined for 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months. In the aforementioned weather stations there were nine, seven, three and four significant drought events, respectively. In the localities located in the flat areas, the number of drought events was greater. From august 1999 to march 2003 and from july 2003 to may 2006, drought events occurred in the four drought meteorological stations; manifesting simultaneously between january-october 2000, in the first period mentioned, and from october 2004 to august 2005, in the second. From august 1986 to october 1987 and from july 2014 to july 2017, drought events occurred in one, two or three meteorological stations located in the flat areas of the province.