Comparison of Multi-Year Reanalysis, Models, and Satellite Remote Sensing Products for Agricultural Drought Monitoring over South Asian Countries

The substantial reliance of South Asia (SA) to rain-based agriculture makes the region susceptible food scarcity due droughts. Previously, most research on SA has emphasized meteorological aspects with little consideration agrarian drought impressions. insufficient amount in situ precipitation data across also hindered thorough investigation sector. In recent times, models, satellite remote sensing, and reanalysis products have increased data. Hence, soil moisture, precipitation, terrestrial water storage (TWS), vegetation condition index (VCI) been employed illustrate droughts from 1982 2019 using a standardized index/anomaly approach. Besides, relationships these towards crop production are evaluated annual national barley, maize, rice, wheat by computing yield anomaly (YAI). Our findings indicate that MERRA-2, CPC, FLDAS (soil moisture), GPCC, CHIRPS (precipitation) alike constant over entire four regions (northwest, southwest, northeast, southeast). On other hand, GLDAS ERA5 remain poor when compared moisture identified conditions one (northwest) three (northeast). Likewise, TWS such as MERRA-2 GRACE (2002–2014) followed patterns presented divergent inconsistent patterns. Furthermore, remained less responsive (northeast) (southeast) only. Based data, FLDAS, performed fairly well indicated stronger more significant associations (0.80 0.96) others. Thus, current outcomes imperative for gauging deficient region, they provide substitutes agricultural monitoring.