Applicability of Remote Sensing Techniques in Drought Predicting: A Case Study in Ben Tre Province, Vietnam

Background: Drought poses significant threats to ecosystems, agriculture and the environment, including reduced crop yields, habitat degradation and increased risk of forest fires and soil erosion. In addressing this issue, remote sensing technology (RST) has emerged as a valuable tool for studying and monitoring drought phenomena, offering advantages over traditional research methods. Methods: This study focuses on the application of RST, specifically utilizing Landsat satellite images, to calculate drought indices and develop drought maps for the Ben Tre province in Vietnam. The research involved the analysis of Landsat satellite images collected between 2000 and 2020, using various drought indices such as TCI, VCI, SAVI and WSVI. Result: By employing these indices, the study was able to classify the levels of drought and generate a drought map for the study area. The findings revealed that the coastal regions encompassing Thanh Phu, Ba Tri and Binh Dai districts face a high risk of drought during the dry season.