Mapping Dust Storm Hotspots in the South of Kerman Province Using Satellite Data

Dust storms are a major challenge in arid and semi-arid regions, leading to environmental degradation, health risks, and economic losses. Southern Kerman Province, Iran, experiences frequent dust storms, highlighting the need to identify the most affected areas. This study uses MODIS satellite data and geospatial analysis to map key dust storm hotspots by assessing the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), Land Surface Temperature (LST), and Thermal Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI). Additional environmental factors, including slope, soil texture, and rainfall patterns, were integrated using ENVI and ArcGIS. The results identify Regan, Fahraj, Rudbar Junob, and Qale Ganj as primary hotspots characterized by sparse vegetation, high temperatures, and low moisture levels. Rather than confirming prior findings, this study expands upon previous research by incorporating additional geospatial techniques to refine dust storm assessments. These insights highlight the effectiveness of remote sensing and spatial data in analyzing dust storm dynamics and provide a basis for developing mitigation strategies to protect vulnerable communities.

Keywords:

Dust hotspots , remote sensing , NDVI , LST , TVDI , MODIS