In this research to identify drought and its severity level, I have used two methods namely:

1. Standardized anomaly index and

2. Vegetation condition index

Both of them are used to compare the current NDVI with historical values.

Standardized anomaly index is a standardized departure from the long term mean.the VCI has been
extensively used to monitor vegetation condition. It normalize NDVI on pixel-by-pixel, scaling
between the minimum and maximum value of NDVI

As proposed by [52] and recently applied by [54], a threshold value of below 35% is used to indicate
drought conditions as shown in

VCI percentage Drought severity level

>35 No drought
20-35 Moderate drought
10-20 Severe drought
<10 Extreme drought
As we see from the figure above both methods are used to indicate drought severity in the study
area at particular year of growing season. Both Z score 2022 and VCI 2022 revealed that the Sothern
part of the study area is prone to drought. On both map northern part of Siraro
werda,Shashemene ,Arsinegele and adami tulu jido Kombolcha have experienced drought .and also
on the northern part of zone north of Ada’a Chukala,Lome and Southern Gimbichu have drought.The
same is true for VCI 2021 and z score 2021.on both method drouht is adapted in southern part of
study area.

What we conclude from this is both methods show the weredas that are prone to drought .therefore
both methods are used to indicate severity of drought.

The VCI has been extensively used to monitor vegetation condition. It normalizes NDVI on
pixel-by-pixel, scaling between the minimum and maximum value of NDVI as proposed by
[LIU, W.T.; KOGAN, F.N 1996].threshold value of below 35% is used to indicate drought
conditions as shown in the table below:

VCI percentage Drought severity level

>35 No drought
20-35 Moderate drought
10-20 Severe drought
<10 Extreme drought