Assessment of Agricultural Drought in Upper Seonath Sub-Basin of Chhattisgarh (India) Using Remote Sensing and GIS-Based Indices

Abstract

Global warming threatens the hydrological cycle, resulting in parched dry season and inferable from its serious impact on profitability of downpour sustained crops. Drought is considered to be one of the most complex natural hazards, affecting large community of people. The effect of drought can be minimized when the decision makers are equipped with suitable data regarding the spatiotemporal information of crop. A study has been conducted in Durg district of Upper Seonath sub-basin of Chhattisgarh state for assessing agricultural drought. Present study involved identification of drought characteristics using Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). NDVI data (NOAA AVHRR) were utilized to assess drought based on inadequacy of soil moisture and rainfall. Rainfall records have been utilized in preparing maps for drought affected areas using integrated approach of SPI and Geographic Information System (GIS). The analysis of rainfall records indicated that extreme drought events had occurred in year 2000 and 2002. The most critical year being 2002 with more than 60% of area under dry condition. RAI is used to compare SPI results, which shows strong correlation (R2 > 0.95) between them. This study investigates potential use of VCI by examining its affects to paddy yield during drought year. So as to approve the VCI results, the relationship among yield productivity and VCI for chief unirrigated crops was plotted indicating good relationship (R2 > 0.62) among each other. The outcome of this study could be an essential step toward addressing the issue of drought vulnerability and can be used as a guide for the proper utilization of reservoirs in the study area.