  We discuss the dissipative dynamics of vortex arrays in trapped
Bose-condensed gases and analyze the lifetime of the vortices as a function of
trap anisotropy and the temperature. In particular, we distinguish the two
regimes of the dissipative dynamics, depending on the relative strength of the
mutual friction between the vortices and the thermal component, and the
friction of the thermal particles on the trap anisotropy. We study the effects
of heating of the thermal cloud by the escaping vortices on the dynamics of the
system.
