The National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System (NADAMS)

Understanding the impact of droughts on India is crucial to appreciating the importance of NADAMS. Historically, droughts have been catastrophic, claiming millions of lives from the 18th to the 20th century. India’s agriculture heavily relies on monsoon rains, and any deviation from normal patterns can lead to water scarcity for irrigation. This, in turn, results in reduced crop yields or complete crop failure, leading to widespread starvation. Regions prone to drought include southern and eastern Maharashtra, northern Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, and Rajasthan.

With the implementation of the National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System (NADAMS), there’s now greater accuracy in predicting monsoon weather patterns. This predictive capability enables the development of relief plans for areas at risk of drought, mitigating the potential human cost.

1. NADAMS

NADAMS is an initiative developed by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of India’s Department of Space. It’s a system designed to monitor and assess agricultural droughts throughout the country.  NADAMS specifically targets agricultural droughts, which occur when there’s insufficient moisture to support healthy crop growth. The system currently covers 17 Indian states that are predominantly agriculture-based and prone to drought conditions.

The Historical Evolution of NADAMS

The NADAMS initiative commenced in late 1986 under the supervision of the National Remote Sensing Agency, Department of Space, Government of India. Support was also provided by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) and various state agriculture departments. By 1990, NADAMS became operational, offering critical insights into drought persistence, severity, and prevalence at different administrative levels.

Advancements in Methodology and Technology

Over the years, NADAMS has undergone significant improvements in both methodology and technology. These enhancements include

1. Transitioning to moderate resolution data for more detailed assessments.
2. Adoption of multiple indices for a comprehensive evaluation of drought conditions.
3. Synchronization of ground observations with satellite-based interpretation for improved accuracy. Information Dissemination

NADAMS provides user-friendly information through various methods, including:

1. Utilizing multiple satellite data sources for comprehensive assessments.
2. Examination of rainfall indicators to gauge drought severity.
3. Assessing soil moisture index as a key indicator of drought conditions.
4. Incorporating ground-based observations to complement satellite data analysis. Classification System

NADAMS employs a logical modelling approach to classify districts into different categories based on drought severity:

1. Alert, Watch, and Normal: Classifications during June, July, and August.
2. Severe, Moderate, and Mild: Classifications during September and October. Dissemination of Reports

Monthly Drought Assessment Reports are disseminated to relevant state and national agencies. Additionally, they are accessible on the Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC) website.

NADAMS currently covers 14 Indian states primarily dependent on agriculture and prone to drought conditions.

1.1. Key features of NADAMS

Data Sources: NADAMS utilizes a combination of data sources to assess drought conditions:

• Satellite Imagery: It primarily relies on satellite-derived vegetation indices like NDVI (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index) to assess vegetation health, an indicator of drought stress.
• Rainfall Data: Rainfall data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD) is incorporated to analyze precipitation patterns and identify potential drought areas.
• Agricultural Statistics: Information on crop sown area and irrigation statistics from state agriculture departments is also factored in.

Outputs: NADAMS provides near real-time information on the following aspects of agricultural drought:

• Prevalence: Indicates the geographical extent of drought-affected areas within a state or district.
• Severity: Classifies the intensity of drought based on the level of vegetation stress and moisture deficiency.
• Persistence: Tracks the duration of drought conditions in a particular area.

Benefits: By providing timely and detailed information on agricultural droughts, NADAMS empowers various stakeholders:

• Farmers: Enables farmers to make informed decisions about crop management practices, such as irrigation scheduling or switching to drought-resistant crops.
• Policymakers: Supports policymakers in developing and implementing drought mitigation strategies and providing targeted assistance to affected regions.
• Disaster Management Agencies: Aids disaster management agencies in allocating resources and planning drought relief efforts.

Limitations: While NADAMS is a valuable tool, it has some limitations:

• Focus on Vegetation: The system primarily relies on vegetation health as a drought indicator, which might not always capture the complete picture in areas with limited vegetation cover.
• Ground-truthing: Ground-based data collection to validate satellite-derived information is crucial but can be resource-intensive.

NADAMS plays a critical role in India’s agricultural drought monitoring and management efforts. By providing near real-time data and insights, it helps stakeholders anticipate, mitigate, and respond to agricultural droughts, contributing to improved agricultural productivity and food security.