Spatial and temporal distribution characteristics of historical drought disasters in Anhui Province from 190 BC to 1949

Based on historical records and relevant literature, summarized the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of historical droughts in Anhui Province, and analyzed the similarities and differences between historical characteristics and the current drought pattern in Anhui Province, as well as their reasons. The results indicate that from 190 BC to 1949, there were a total of 593 recorded droughts in Anhui Province, with an average of 3.6 recorded droughts per year. In terms of space, the Jianghuai hilly area is the most severe, followed by the northern Anhui region, which is still the area with the most severe drought in Anhui Province. In terms of seasonal distribution, summer drought is the most frequent, followed by summer and autumn drought, and winter drought is the rarest, which is consistent with the current distribution of drought seasons in Anhui Province. The characteristic of sudden changes in drought and flood is prominent, with a higher probability of occurrence in northern Anhui and a higher probability of sudden changes in flood and drought in southern Anhui. The study summarized the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of historical droughts in Anhui Province, providing a historical basis for understanding the mechanism of regional drought formation and providing reference for future drought resistance work, agricultural production, and disaster prevention and reduction measures in the region.