Assessing Drought Dynamics in Rajasthan Through Remote Sensing and GIS Integration

Dr. Renu Sangwan

RS and GIS technologies, Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Vegetation Condition Index (VCI)

Drought is a recurrent and severe natural hazard in Rajasthan, significantly impacting agriculture, water resources, and livelihoods. Effective monitoring and assessment of drought conditions are crucial for mitigation and management strategies. This study explores the use of Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographical Information System (GIS) technologies for comprehensive drought monitoring in Rajasthan. Satellite data, including MODIS and Landsat imagery, were utilized to calculate key drought indices such as the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and Vegetation Condition Index (VCI). These indices were integrated with GIS tools to analyze the spatial and temporal patterns of drought from 2000 to 2023.

The results indicate distinct patterns of drought severity and frequency across different regions of Rajasthan, with significant variations observed between arid and semi-arid zones. The spatial analysis revealed that western Rajasthan experiences more frequent and severe droughts compared to the eastern regions. The study also highlights the correlation between drought indices and agricultural productivity, emphasizing the critical need for timely and accurate drought information.

This research underscores the advantages of combining RS and GIS technologies for drought monitoring, providing valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders involved in drought management and mitigation. The integration of these technologies enables a more precise and real-time assessment of drought conditions, facilitating better decision-making and resource allocation. Future studies should focus on enhancing the resolution of satellite data and incorporating additional climatic variables to improve the accuracy and reliability of drought monitoring systems.