Water availability and accessibility are major challenges in arid and semi-arid regions. Addressing the knowledge gaps regarding water resources is a critical step toward resolving this issue. This study seek to investigate hydrological and meteorological drought pattern across the Massili basin in central Burkina Faso. The method was based on the estimation of Pedj Drought Index (PDI), the Non-Stationary Standardized Precipitation Index (NSPI), the Standardized Streamflow Index (SSI), and the Precipitation index (P index). Monthly data on flow discharge (1975-2021), precipitation, and mean temperature (1960-2021) were collected and analyzed. These data were used to derive the indices and identify the characteristics of past droughts over the watershed. Results indicate severe droughts occurred in 1974, 1982, 2002, and 2010, while milder droughts were observed in 1984, 1997, 2000, 2001, and 2006. These results highlight critical drought periods in the Massili basin, with significant implications for water resource management and the development of adaptation strategies in this arid region. A deeper understanding of historical droughts can help strengthen local communities’ resilience to climate variability.