Spatiotemporal mapping of agricultural drought using geospatial approach in the East Bale Zone, Ethiopia

Agricultural drought significantly threatens food security, livelihoods, and ecosystem stability, especially in regions prone to drought, such as the East Bale zone. This study investigates the spatial and temporal patterns of agricultural drought over 30 years (1993–2024) by combining meteorological station data with satellite‐derived vegetation and thermal indices. To assess meteorological drought, the standardized precipitation index (SPI) was calculated at 3‐, 6‐, and 12‐month intervals. For agricultural and thermal stress analysis, remote sensing‐based indices including the vegetation condition index (VCI), temperature condition index, and vegetation health index (VHI) were utilized. The results indicate that the years 2003, 2008, and 2018 experienced the most severe droughts, as shown consistently across all indices. Spatial analysis revealed that the central, southern, and eastern lowland areas faced the highest frequency and severity of drought, while the northwestern highlands remained comparatively resilient. Cross‐index correlation revealed strong agreement between SPI and VCI ( R 2 = 0.77), and between VHI and VCI ( R 2 = 0.83), supporting the effectiveness of integrated drought monitoring approaches. This research advances the field of drought assessment by enhancing spatial and temporal resolution and validating cross‐index relationships at the subregional level. The results provide critical insights for localized drought early warning systems, climate adaptation strategies, and future research to improve agricultural resilience under changing climatic conditions. Hence, agricultural drought risk mapping serves as a valuable tool for guiding decision‐making in drought monitoring and for mitigating its impacts on agricultural productivity.