RETRACTED CHAPTER: Application of GIS and Remote Sensing Tools in Assessment of Drought Using Satellite and Ground-Based Data

Abstract

Satellite-based data, information, and indices have been very efficient and useful for rapid assessment of drought situations. They can be proven even more effective if tested using appropriate indicators derived from physically observed ground station-based climatic data. This chapter examines the effectiveness of satellite data in drought characterization. The MODIS Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data were used to monitor vegetation health and drought in the Bundelkhand region of Central India using the NDVI-based Vegetation Condition Index (VCI), and the results were compared to the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI). Using rainfall departure analysis and SPI on a three-month time scale, long-term rainfall data from the Bundelkhand region were used to assess the extent of meteorological drought and identify the driest years. The VCI was calculated using satellite-based NDVI data from the same period. Three-month SPI was evaluated for the severe drought years identified through rainfall departure analysis and compared to VCI results. In October 2015, both SPI and VCI indicated extremely severe drought. The satellite-based indicator VCI has been found to interpret results that are consistent with the drought index SPI, which is evaluated using observed ground station-based data, indicating the utility of satellite data in quick drought monitoring.