Multisensor Integrated Drought Severity Index (IDSI) for assessing agricultural drought in Odisha, India

Recurrent droughts in India have severely impacted the economy and the quality of life. The agricultural drought from June to October 2023 in Odisha (the Kharif season), India, highlighted the urgent need for precise monitoring and assessment due to its significant effects on crop yield and food security. This study develops and validates the multisensor Integrated Drought Severity Index (IDSI) to accurately assess agricultural drought severity using multiple remote sensing indices, including optical, thermal, and microwave sensors. Ten indices were computed and combined using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to assign weights, aiming to establish a new agricultural drought index that can monitor severity, identify critical indices, and assess uncertainties in affected areas. Validation results from ROC-AUC indicate that the IDSI model achieved a precision exceeding 85% using empirical weights. The study area's mapping shows that approximately 8.91% experience extreme drought conditions, with significant impacts in specific districts of Odisha. This comprehensive tool provides critical insights for policymakers and farmers, enhancing global drought preparedness and response strategies through its adaptable methodology.