Moisture deficit Index and how to calculate it

MDI(Moisture deficit Index)

MDI is an important drought index that considers soil moisture as one of the input parameters.

Krishnan and Singh 1972,

            Annual Precipiation(P) - Potential Evapo-transpiration

MDI= -------------------------------------------------------------------

                               Potential Evapo-transpiration

MDI value                     Interpretation

<-80                               Extremely dry

-80 to -60                       Semi dry

-60 to -40                       Dry

-40 to -20                       Slightly dry

-20 to 0                          Slightly moist

   0 to 50                        Moist

 50 to 100                      Wet

>  100                             Extremely wet