Geospatial perspectives on hydro-meteorological hazards and groundwater hazard in India

This paper introduces the use of space technology and geographic information systems in hydro-meteorological hazards and groundwater hazard that cause a wide variety of losses. A series of major disasters such as floods, flash floods, droughts, cyclones, extreme weather events, including the groundwater contamination were witnessed in India. The decadal analyses indicate that the frequencies of naturally occurring disasters were increased since 1970. Both frequency and intensity of floods and the extreme temperature events have increased considerably, which have a correspondence with global climate change. With the help of various case studies of disasters across India, this paper demonstrates geospatial approaches to illustrate the nature of damage and vulnerable areas. Innovations in space technology and geospatial approaches have catered newer dimensions for timely detection and monitoring of disasters. Albeit some actions and measures are taken up at national level for disaster management, there are challenges to alleviate the risk of future disasters as the frequency as well as intensity are expected to increase under climate change.