Application of an improved spatio-temporal identification method of flash droughts

•A flash drought identification method is developed, and it includes rapid intensification and drought period and tracks flash drought paths in time and space.•This is the first specific study of the regional characteristics of flash droughts in a humid and semi-humid region.•Flash droughts in the Huaibei Plain most likely occur in May, August and October.•The main flash drought transfer pathway in the Huaibei Plain is an east to west transition, accounting for 44% of the flash droughts.