Drought and flood dynamics of Godavari basin, India: A geospatial perspective

Assessing incidence and trends of droughts floods can provide essential information for better water resource management, particularly in the context ongoing climate change. The present study has examined prevalence drought flood events Godavari basin, India, last four decades using Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI) 3 months 9 months, their Mann–Kendall’s test Sen’s slope. spatial distribution, frequency, intensity episodes basin are not uniform. A 20-year breakdown, 1980–1999 2000–2019, shows a drastic increase frequency Manjra Pranhita sub-basins, while Upper, Indravati, northern part Weinganga have registered increased frequency. monthly trend SPEI-3 that most sub-basins negative (increasing dryness) only during winter under SPEI-9 scenario both strong throughout year. slope estimations detected an increasing severity from to SPEI-9. Dryness is highest Pranhita, followed by Manjra, Wardah, Lower wetness Upper Godavari, rest do show any significant trend. interior districts more prone high conditions near future if current persist. To sustain change challenges, vulnerable need urgent structural non-structural changes management practices.