About the India Drought Monitor

What is the IDM?

The India Drought Monitor (IDM) is an interactive web portal for monitoring and forecasting drought and hydrometeorological conditions across India and its Union Territories. The portal integrates observed and forecast information on drought, rainfall, runoff, and soil moisture to support drought monitoring, early warning, and decision-making.

IDM provides weekly drought assessments based on the Combined Drought Index (CDI), which classifies conditions into Normal, Abnormally Dry (D0), Moderate Drought (D1), Severe Drought (D2), Extreme Drought (D3), and Exceptional Drought (D4). In addition to drought conditions, users can explore hydrometeorological indicators such as precipitation, runoff, and soil moisture through interactive maps, time-series visualizations, and forecast products.

Who draws the map?

The India Drought Monitor is managed by the Water and Climate Lab (WCL) at the Indian Institute of Technology Gandhinagar, drawing on hydro-meteorological data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The index is computed and reviewed each week, combining several indicators into a single drought picture for the country.

How do we know when we're in a drought?

Drought is not determined by rainfall alone. It develops when persistent water deficits begin to affect soils, rivers, reservoirs, vegetation, agriculture, and water supplies. To capture these different dimensions, the India Drought Monitor uses a Combined Drought Index (CDI) that integrates multiple indicators, including the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), Standardized Runoff Index (SRI), and Standardized Soil Moisture Index (SSMI). By combining these complementary sources of information, the CDI provides a comprehensive assessment of meteorological, agricultural, and hydrological drought conditions, offering a more robust picture of drought severity and extent across India.

Does the IDM look back or forward in time?

The India Drought Monitor includes both. The main map looks back in time, providing a “snapshot” of very recent conditions built on data through the previous week. Alongside it, the monitor also publishes short-range outlooks (7-, 15- and 30-day forecasts of the index), so users can see both where drought has been and where it may be heading.

How does drought affect the country?

Drought is a recurring and slow-onset natural hazard that can have far-reaching impacts on society, the economy, and the environment. Reduced rainfall and water availability can lower agricultural production, threaten food security, and affect rural livelihoods. Drought also places stress on domestic and industrial water supplies, reduces streamflow and reservoir storage, limits hydropower generation, degrades ecosystems, and increases the risk of wildfires and heat-related impacts. Because its effects accumulate gradually over time, drought can cause economic and social losses comparable to those associated with other major natural disasters.

About the Data

The India Drought Monitor (IDM) integrates multiple datasets to provide weekly assessments of drought and hydrometeorological conditions across India. Drought monitoring is based on the Combined Drought Index (CDI), which combines precipitation, runoff, and soil moisture information. Runoff and soil moisture conditions are simulated using an ensemble of hydrological and land surface models, including VIC, H08, Noah-MP, and CWatM. Soil moisture estimates are further improved using machine learning techniques and corrected to represent root-zone conditions (0–100 cm) using SMAP Level-4 root-zone soil moisture products. Observed rainfall and temperature inputs are obtained from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), while forecast products are driven by the IMD Extended Range Forecast System (ERFS).

How can I get involved?

Want to learn more or contribute to the IDM effort? Here are some ways:

• Explore the interactive map — inspect the index anywhere in India and animate the historical record on the Interactive Map.
• Share local impact reports — on-the-ground observations of crop, water and pasture conditions help validate the index.
• Use the data in research — the gridded indices are designed for hydro-climatic analysis; we welcome collaboration.
• Get in touch with the lab — reach the Water and Climate Lab at IIT Gandhinagar with questions or feedback.

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Acknowledgements

The India Drought Monitor is built on data, products, and services generously made available by national and international agencies. We gratefully acknowledge the following data providers:

• India Meteorological Department (IMD)Hydro-meteorological observations and gridded datasets that underpin the Monitor’s drought indices.
• Central Water Commission (CWC)Hydrological data supporting the Monitor’s analyses and outlook products.
• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) / National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC)Satellite data products used in drought monitoring.
• National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)Global datasets used in the Monitor’s analyses.

The use of data from these organisations does not imply their endorsement of the India Drought Monitor or of any products derived from it.