34. Tapping the Potential of Remote Sensing and GIS for Drought Monitoring

In the recent times the policy makers and general public have realized the importance of natural disaster mitigation due to the serious damage to the human life and property by natural hazards. Any study on natural hazards involves the assessment of magnitude as well as the overall timing of the hazard. Historical analysis of natural hazards generally helps the experts as well as the general public in formulating the appropriate strategy to be adopted in future considering the time and cost factors. Early warning and alert messages based on scientific monitoring techniques and methods would generally minimize the severity of the damage. The advancements made in the satellite technology involving Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS), could aid in management of the drought prone area. A technique developed at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) using measurements of the Advanced Very High Resolution Radiometer (AVHRR) on board NOAA polar-or-biting satellites. This paper highlights the use of Vegetation Condition Index (VCI) and Temperature Condition Index (TCI), which considerably improved early drought detection and monitoring droughts impact on agriculture.