dry periods from November to April at the study
sites. It can be concluded from this study that bimonthly
MEI values can provide useful indications
of water resource availability. The proposed
models for forecasting SPI during the dry period
could contribute to irrigation water management
at the paddy field level and provide useful
information for the management of water resources
in specific areas. For large scale management,
other alternative methods might be more useful
and more practicable, since this process seems to
be applicable at the local rather than the global
scale.