Maharashtra .: The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bombay has launched KrishiDrought.in, a public portal that provides weekly agricultural drought forecasts across India. The platform offers predictions with up to four weeks of advance warning, with information provided at the district level and an approximate spatial resolution of 9 km.
The portal aims to support farmers, government agencies and other stakeholders in monitoring agricultural drought conditions, preparing for potential droughts and making timely decisions to reduce agriculturaql losses.
KrishiDrought.in Developed by IIT Bombay Researchers
The forecasting system has been developed by the Ecohydrology research group, led by Prof. Karthikeyan Lanka at the Centre for Studies in Resources Engineering (CSRE), in collaboration with the Centre for Climate Studies at IIT Bombay.
The system combines multiple sources of information and computational techniques, including:
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Satellite observations
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Hydroclimatic datasets
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Dynamical forecasts
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Advanced deep learning models
By integrating these inputs, the portal provides information on changing soil moisture conditions and the development of agricultural drought.
Weekly Forecasts with Up to Four Weeks of Advance Warning
One of the key features of KrishiDrought.in is its ability to provide weekly agricultural drought forecasts with up to four weeks of advance warning.
The forecasts are available at approximately 9 km spatial resolution and are provided at the district level. This information can help users monitor evolving drought conditions and identify areas that may require timely attention.
The platform is intended to make agricultural drought information accessible to stakeholders who need it for planning and preparedness.
How the Portal Could Support Agriculture and Drought Preparedness
Agricultural drought can affect soil moisture conditions and create challenges for farming activities. Access to advance forecasts may help farmers and government agencies prepare for changing conditions and consider timely measures to mitigate potential agricultural losses.
The portal is also an example of how satellite data, climate information and deep learning can be integrated into a practical forecasting system.
KrishiDrought.in Launched During CSRE Golden Jubilee Celebrations
The portal was formally launched on October 28, 2026, during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of CSRE at IIT Bombay.
The launch highlights the institute's research efforts in applying computational methods and environmental data to challenges related to agriculture and climate.
Explore the Agricultural Drought Forecasts
The KrishiDrought.in portal is publicly accessible and allows users to explore weekly agricultural drought forecasts across India.
To visit the portal, click here: https://krishidrought.in
The initiative demonstrates how academic research can contribute to tools designed to support farmers, policymakers and other stakeholders in preparing for climate-related challenges.
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