The 3-month standardized precipitation and evapotranspiration index was calculated based on the monthly precipitation and temperature data of 42 meterological stations in the Pearl River basin from 1951 to 2011. The Pearl River basin was divided into 5 subregions characterized by the variation of drought based on the rotated empirical orthogonal function method. The duration and intensity of drought were selected to be the characteristic variables according to the run theory

and the drought risk assessment was made across the Pearl River basin by using a multivariate regional frequency analysis approach. The five subregions divided from the Pearl River basin are all homogeneous

and the goodness-of-fit tests indicate that generalized normal and Pearson type Ⅲ distributions are best for the duration as a regional marginal distribution for different subregions

while generalized Parato distribution is best for the intensity. The Clayton copula is the best-fit regional copula for subregions one

three

and five

and the Arch13 copula is best for subregions two and four. Considering the drought return years as a risk

different districts across the Pearl River basin might suffer different drought risks. From the perspective of region

the districts of Hejiang

Guijiang

Zuojiang and Youjiang River basin will suffer a higher drought risk than others and should be caught enough attention. While from the perspective of administration

Guangxi will be the most dangerous province for all kinds of drought risks.