Climate change could cause changes in temperature and precipitation patterns that may increase the probability of drought. Climate change could enormously affect arid regions, and many countries may suffer from drought. This study aims to monitor the historical drought in Syria. Monthly data was collected from 71 land stations for the period (1991–2009). After 2010, the field data were not available due to the civil war in Syria. The satellite images for monthly precipitation were collected for the period (1983–2020). Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic Information System (GIS) were used to correct the satellite images using the land station data for the period (1991–2009), and a correction equation was developed for each station that was used to correct the data for the period (1983–2020). Drought risk analysis was carried out utilizing the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) in the period (1983–2020). Three main types of droughts have been detected: meteorological, agricultural and hydrological drought. The results showed that significant drought struck Syria, where, the long-term drought (hydrological) occurred in 1988–1989 and 2013–2014. From the assessment of months for the period 1983–2020 in Syria, it is obvious that the driest year was 2013, and extremely dry and very dry were repeated in the years 1988, 1993, 1999, 2003, 2008, 2013 and 2017. This reveals that the dry season is repeated between 4 and 6 years with an average of 5 years. The results of the SPI trend analysis showed increasing trends at all the stations. This highlights the impact of climate change on Syria, which may suffer from more droughts in the future, which in turn affect the availability of water resources. The results of this research could help to manage water resources and adapt to climate change risks in Syria. The results proved that SPI is a useful tool to monitor drought that could help decision-makers put efficient plans for drought risk management. Graphical Abstract The current study aims to monitor the historical drought in Syria using remote sensing data. Monthly data was collected from 71 land stations for the period (1991–2009). Then satellite images for monthly precipitation were collected for the period (1983–2020). RS and GIS were used to correct the satellite images using the land station data for the period (1991–2009), and a correction equation was developed for each station that was used to correct the data for the period (1983–2020). Drought risk analysis was carried out utilizing SPI in the period (1983–2020). Three main types of droughts have been detected: meteorological, agricultural and hydrological drought. The findings indicated that Syria experienced significant drought conditions, with the long-term drought index (SPI-12) identifying periods of extreme dryness during 1988–1989 and 2013–2014. The results show that 2013 was the driest year, while extremely dry and very dry conditions recurred in the years 1988, 1993, 1999, 2003, 2008, 2013, and 2017. This pattern reveals that dry seasons tend to occur every 4 to 6 years, averaging 5 years. The trend analysis of the SPI revealed an increasing trend across all monitoring stations, underscoring the influence of climate change on Syria, which may face an increased frequency of droughts in the future, thereby impacting water resource availability. The insights gained from this research could be instrumental in managing water resources and addressing the risks associated with climate change.

Changes in riverine hydrography and reduced aquifer recharge due to projected climate changes in arid and semi-arid regions are the main issues of water supply, especially in the Nile Delta, Egypt. Continuous degradation results from reduced Nile water flow, poor management of groundwater extraction, and human activities throughout the Nile’s course and drainage channels. Contamination of this water with heavy metals and dissolved organic solids reduces the quality of this water, which increases the price of treatment. River Bank Filtration (RBF) is a water treatment technology used for improving the quality of drinking water taken from polluted rivers where abstraction wells are installed on the banks. This study was applied to the RBF site at Embaba, Nile Delta, Egypt using the numerical code MT3D. The study was simulated and calibrated for the current situation and number of scenarios to investigate the effect of climatic changes on RBF sustainability. Four scenarios were simulated to identify and estimate the RBF portion and the total water travel time from the river to the wells. The first scenario involves a reduction in river stages, the second a decrease in aquifer recharge, the third a combination of the first two scenarios, and the fourth scenario combines scenarios 1, 2, and 3. The results indicate that the RBF portion decreased from 67.42% in the base case to 35.46% and 64.99% with a reduction in river stage by 75% from the base case and a decrease in aquifer recharge from 182.50 (base case) to 50 mm per year, respectively. Moreover, the RBF portion increased to reach 87.75% with a reduction in the General Head Boundary of 75% from the base case, while the combination of the three scenarios decreased the RBF portion to 67.24%. Finally, the water supply systems in arid and semi-arid regions should be extended by installing and operating RBF facilities to manage the negative effects of climatic change through reduction in river stages and aquifer recharge, and increasing abstraction due to overpopulation.

Meet Yazied Canal is one of the main sources of water in Kafr El-Shiekh and Al-Gharbia governorates. The main objective of this research was to study the problem of water shortage at the end of Meet Yazied Canal and focus on the effective elements of delivering water to the end of this canal. Different approaches of storage water were applied during this research in order to overcome the shortage of water at the end of the main canal and its branches. Different scenarios were simulated using the ISIS model which is one dimensional model. The results have been analyzed for each scenario. The results include water levels, velocities, discharges and Froude numbers at different locations along Meet Yazied Canal. It was shown that water management in Meet Yazied Canal is must to overcome water shortage and conflict between farmers and to achieve water equity along the canal. This study showed that good agreements were obtained between the numerical model results and field data. The incoming flow to Meet Yazied Canal is sufficient and enough for cultivating the existing land with the existing crop pattern, if a good management of water has been applied.