A new AI-powered platform from IIT Bombay, called KrishiDrought, forecasts agricultural drought up to four weeks ahead, helping farmers plan irrigation and crop management to safeguard their harvests.
- AI forecasts drought risk at district level with a four-week lead time.
- Combines satellite, hydroclimatic data, and deep learning for accuracy.
- Interactive maps help users track upcoming dryness or wetter conditions.
What happened
Researchers at IIT Bombay have developed and launched KrishiDrought, an AI-based portal that predicts agricultural drought conditions in India up to a month in advance. Utilizing satellite data alongside hydroclimatic information and advanced deep-learning techniques, the tool forecasts how soil moisture will change over upcoming weeks. This enables farmers and officials to receive early warnings about potential drought risks before visible damage occurs.
KrishiDrought was officially launched on October 28, 2026. Its weekly forecasts provide color-coded maps at approximately 9 km resolution, highlighting areas likely to experience soil moisture decline or improvement. Users can explore predictions for individual states and districts within four distinct time windows, from one to four weeks ahead, supporting timely irrigation planning and drought preparedness.
Why it feels good
Agricultural drought is a complex challenge—not just the absence of rain but insufficient soil moisture to meet crop water demands. Because drought impacts often become visible too late for effective interventions, early warning systems like KrishiDrought deliver critical time and insight to farmers. This can mean the difference between crop loss and successful harvests, reducing economic risks for farming communities.
The technology behind KrishiDrought integrates multiple environmental data sources to provide a nuanced forecast of soil moisture trends. This approach helps users anticipate dry spells and adapt accordingly, fostering smarter water management and more resilient farming practices. Knowing a potential drought risk weeks in advance offers peace of mind and practical advantages in protecting crops.
What to enjoy or watch next
Farmers, agricultural advisors, and policymakers across India are encouraged to explore the KrishiDrought portal regularly to benefit from its early drought forecasts. By incorporating this data into planning, they can enhance irrigation scheduling, select more drought-resilient crop varieties, and implement water conservation strategies more effectively.
Looking ahead, researchers plan to further refine KrishiDrought’s predictive models and expand its coverage and usability. Continued collaboration between climate scientists, remote sensing experts, and local communities will play a key role in enhancing the platform’s accuracy and impact. Monitoring feedback from users and improving the interface could make this cutting-edge tool a vital resource in India’s agricultural landscape.