Bhubaneswar: A group of researchers — two from Odisha and three from Brazil — have designed a tool/model to monitor and predict agricultural drought more accurately than existing models. The ‘Multisensor Integrated Drought Severity Index (IDSI)' leverages multiple remote sensing technologies, combining optical, thermal and microwave data to provide an accurate picture of drought severity, the researchers claimed.
Manoranjan Mishra, professor of geography department of Fakir Mohan University (FMU), Balasore, and research scholar Rajkumar Guria of FMU, were part of the team whose work was featured this week in the Journal of Remote Sensing Applications: Society and Environment, an Elsevier group journal.
"The model achieved a validation accuracy exceeding 85%, which is comparatively better than the existing methods. It will immensely help the govt, agencies and crop insurance providers to monitor and address agricultural drought. Designing the model is not expensive," said Mishra.
Agricultural drought, triggered by insufficient rainfall and aggravated by rising temperatures, significantly affect crop yields, food security and the livelihoods of farmers. The researchers studied last year's dry spell that occurred in Odisha during the kharif season (June to Oct) and felt the need for creating an accurate and comprehensive drought monitoring tool.
Mishra said prolonged dry spell and erratic rainfall patterns left a significant portion of agricultural land in Odisha parched last year. Districts such as Balangir, Nuapada, Sundargarh and Kalahandi experienced drought-like conditions, with vegetation indices and land surface temperature readings pointing to severe water stress.
Such extreme and severe drought conditions not only stunted crop growth but also escalated food prices and strained water resources, intensifying the socio-economic challenges faced by farmers, said the researchers.
Unlike traditional drought indices that rely on singular environmental parameters, IDSI integrates 10 critical indices — like Vegetation Health Index (VHI), Temperature Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI, and Soil Moisture Condition Index (SMCI) — to improve accuracy. "Using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), these indices are weighted to create a composite score, offering a nuanced understanding of drought severity," said Mishra.
The research paper said that IDSI maps reveal severe drought hotspots in western and northern Odisha while identifying relatively resilient areas like Eastern Ghats and Chilika lake. The methodology can be applied globally, enabling better preparedness for drought-prone regions worldwide, researchers said.
"This index is not just a technological innovation but a beacon of hope for drought-affected communities. By bridging the gap between advanced science and real-world applications, IDSI promises a more sustainable and secure agricultural future for Odisha and beyond," said Mishra.