Satellite-based precipitation products, with simultaneously high spatial and temporal resolutions, are mostly needed to assess climate change repercussions. Previous researches used datasets neglecting either good temporal or good spatial resolution, PERSIANN-CCS-CDR, ERA5, and SM2RAIN-ASCAT are some of the projects aiming to remedy these limitations. This study's goal is to evaluate the accuracy of the PERSIANN-CCS-CDR, ERA5, and SM2RAIN-ASCAT at a monthly scale and their suitability for drought assessment in a Moroccan semi-arid watershed. Several statistical indices were computed, the drought SPI was calculated using PERSIANN-CCS-CDR estimates, ERA5 products, and observed records as an input in the SPI formula using the Gamma distribution to simulate drought from 1983 to 2017. The preliminary comparison and evaluation results of PERSIANN-CCS-CDR estimates and ERA5 datasets showed good CC on a basin scale for monthly precipitation, with a slight underestimation of the observed precipitation showed by the PBIAS. The NSE scored 0.41 for PERSIANN-CCS-CDR and 0.72 for ERA5. The results for SM2RAIN-ASCAT show no match with the observed precipitation data. At the basin scale, the SPI3 correlation coefficients between the PERSIANN-CCS-CDR monthly estimates and observed gauge rainfall data were greater than 0.67, and the RMSE was closer to 0, outperforming ERA5 in the SPI3 evaluation.

The Haouz aquifer is undergoing climatic aridity and anthropic pressure largely related to the agricultural sector. In this study, special attention was given to the main factors that have a direct impact on the fluctuations of the piezometric level (PL). Different statistical analyses (cross-correlations, PCA, cascading analysis) of the relationship between these factors were applied here. The results identify three distinct groundwater operating systems. The first is manifested in areas dominated by groundwater irrigation. The correlation is insignificant between the PL and surface water (R ≤ ±0.3). The natural balance of the water cycle is then disturbed causing a pronounced deficit in the PL. The second system is perceptible in areas dominated by irrigation from surface water, while the third system is noticeable in Bour areas, cultivated in rainfed mode. For both systems, the hydrological cycle is preserved, and the contribution of surface water to groundwater recharge is noticeable (±0.4 ≤ R ≤ ±1). Drought transfer between the water cycle components occurs in a cascading process for both systems. These results can help decision-makers to identify the risks related to groundwater vulnerability to climatic variability and overexploitation in the Haouz region, allowing for the promotion of efficient groundwater management.