Drought Vulnerability Detection and Mapping in Attapadi, A Part of Southern Western Ghats, India- Using Geoinformation Science and Technology

Drought is an insidious hazard of nature which is considered by many to be the most complex but least understood of all natural hazards. It is among the natural disaster that causes damages and affects many peoples life in many part of the world. Drought can be divided into four categories of meteorological, hydrological, agricultural and social-economic. Drought vulnerability is a concept which shows the likelihood of damages from hazard in a particular place by focusing on the system status prior to the disaster. Drought vulnerability has been viewed as a potential for losses in the region due to water deficiency at the time of drought. In this study the vulnerability of drought in Attapadi province in Palakkad district is investigated by providing vulnerability maps which demonstrates spatial characteristics of drought vulnerability. Modern technology has made substantial contribution in the identification of drought vulnerable area. The modern technology used in present system for drought prone area identification is remote sensing and geographic information system. Drought is one of the climatic, natural disasters, having an impact on both the economy and the society, with its long-standing problems. Drought by nature is a result of inter-related parameters. The study is based on the concept that the severity of the drought is a function of rainfall, hydrological and physical aspects of the landscape, leading to meteorological, hydrological and physical drought. In the present study a Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing -based tool for drought vulnerability assessment at a micro level has been developed. The result of this study can be used for preparedness planning and for allocating resources for facing droughts in this region.