In response to the applicability of hydrological drought index in the evaluation of hydrological drought in the Poyang Lake Basin, multiple hydrological drought indices were quantitatively compared and analyzed to select the optimal characterization index for hydrological drought in the Poyang Lake Basin. The evolution characteristics of hydrological drought in the Poyang Lake Basin were analyzed, and the following conclusions were drawn:(1) It is recommended to use the standardized runoff index ( SRI ) to characterize the five river basins in the Poyang Lake Basin, and the standardized water level index ( SWI ) to characterize the hydrological drought in the lake area.(2) The most frequent occurrence of hydrological drought in the Wuhe River Basin and Lake District during summer; Except for summer, the overall trend of hydrological drought in the Poyang Lake Basin shows a slowing down trend in the Five Rivers Basin, while the lake area shows an increasing trend. (3) On a monthly scale, the hydrological drought at each hydrological station in the Five Rivers Basin showed an increasing trend in May, while the hydrological drought in September showed a significant slowing trend; The hydrological drought in the lake area shows a worsening trend from April to June and from October to December, with a significant worsening trend in October.