The historical document of drought disasters in the upper reaches of the Hanjiang River during theperiod from 193BC to 2000AD was collected and analyzed.The grade,frequency and causes of drought disasters in the area during the period were focused on.It was found that 431times of drought disasters occurredin the area during the period,approximately once every 5.09years on average.Drought disasters were mainly the moderate ones that accounted for 42.5% of the total,followed by slight ones that accounted for35.0%of the total.The occurring frequency of extremely serious and serious ones accounted for 12.3% and10.2%of the total,respectively.Frequency of drought disasters was characterized by obvious fluctuationand there was a rising trend in fluctuation with the historical development. The late Qing dynasty to modernhad the highest frequency.As a result of climate change,precipitation,terrain factors and human factors ledto drought disasters occurred in the upper reaches of the Hanjiang River.