Type of water

Remote sensing

Land surface hydrological processes

Employment opportunities

1.Rainwater

(and extreme weather events, such as the track and intensity of tropical cyclones)

Prediction of spatial and temporal distribution of precipitation based on the monitoring of the upper ocean thermal structure through Thermal Infrared, Passive Microwave and Active microwave systems

Though for all practical purposes, precipitation (or cyclones) cannot be controlled, the way the rainwater gets partitioned can be controlled to a significant extent. Also the adverse consequences of cyclones can be mitigated through preparedness systems

Rainwater harvesting

(Roof-top, surface runoff), Prediction of temporal and spatial distribution of precipitation. Preparedness systems for floods, and cyclones

2. Surface water (streams, rivers, lakes, reservoirs, etc.) and extreme hydrological events, such as floods and droughts)

Extent of surface spread of water measured through LANDSAT/Infrared imagery; Water level/ velocity measured through Laser and radar.

The flow in a stream/river (either normally or at the time of floods) could be predicted on the basis of the projected temporal and spatial distribution of rainfall, Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), nature of soil and vegetation cover and patterns of land use.

Inventorying of surface water resources, and designing their optimal use. Inter-basin water transfers (e.g. Ganga-Cauvery link). Monitoring and mitigation of surface water pollution

3. Groundwater

(The total amount of groundwater worldwide is 67 times more than all surface water sources combined)

Groundwater (amount and

Quality) cannot be measured directly by remote sensing, as it is hidden underground. But remote sensing can be used indirectly for the purpose, through collation of other data

Groundwater recharge possibility and groundwater prospect maps are prepared by the integration of lithology, landform, structure, slope, soil, land-use/land-cover, etc. data with

NDVI derived from AVHRR and IRS/WIFS

Groundwater recharge.

Wellhead protection systems through zoning.

Regulation of the use of groundwater. Tracing and mitigation of groundwater pollution.

4. Soil water (soil moisture), which needs to be studied in conjunction with surface skin temperature

Surface soil moisture is measured by passive and active microwave systems; surface skin temperature and evapotranspiration are measured by thermal infrared.

The temporal and spatial distribution of soil moisture depends upon soil type, slope, vegetation cover, land-use, precipitation, surface and groundwater. Validation of microwave soil moisture retrieval algorithms.

Advising the farmers, mandal (county) and district officers, about the optimal cropping patterns.