Droughts & Floods Assessment and Monitoring Using Remote Sensing and Gis

Space technology has made substantial contribution in all the three phases such as preparedness, prevention and relief phases of drought and flood disaster management. The Earth Observation satellites which include both geostationary and polar orbiting satellites provide comprehensive, synoptic and multi temporal coverage of large areas in real time and at frequent intervals and ‘thus’ have become valuable for continuous monitoring of atmospheric as well as surface parameters related to droughts and floods. Geo-stationary satellites provide continuous and synoptic observations over large areas on weather including cyclone monitoring. Polar orbiting satellites have the advantage of providing much higher resolution imageries, even though at low temporal frequency, which could be used for detailed monitoring, damage assessment and long-term relief management. Advancements in the remote sensing technology and the Geographic Information Systems help in real time monitoring, early warning and quick damage assessment of both drought and flood disasters. In this lecture the use of remote sensing and GIS and the global scenario for the drought and flood disaster management is discussed.