IIT Bombay's KrishiDrought portal gives districts a 4-week drought warning
By TUF News Desk · Published 2 November 2026 · 4 min read
Fact-checked against 2+ independent sources · Editorial policy
Four weeks. That is how far ahead a new public portal from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay aims to warn of agricultural drought in India.
The portal, KrishiDrought.in, publishes weekly forecasts that track how soil moisture is changing and flag where agricultural drought is developing. The forecasts are generated at a spatial resolution of roughly 9 km and presented at district level, so a reader can look at a specific district rather than a broad regional picture.
How the forecast is put together
The system brings together satellite observations, hydroclimatic datasets and dynamical forecasts, and runs them through deep learning models. Those inputs are used to follow soil moisture over time. When the moisture trend points toward drying, the portal flags the area as a developing drought risk.
The maps are colour-coded, which makes it easier to pick out the districts facing the sharpest risk in a given week. A weekly cycle also matters here. A single forecast can go stale as rain or heat changes the picture, and a fresh update each week gives farmers and officials a chance to revise their plans while there is still time to act.
Who built it, and where it was launched
The portal was developed by the Ecohydrology research group at IIT Bombay, led by Prof. Karthikeyan Lanka. The group works from the Centre of Studies in Resources Engineering and the Centre for Climate Studies at the institute, and the institute also credited the students and researchers on the project.
It was formally launched during the Golden Jubilee celebrations of the Centre of Studies in Resources Engineering. News of the launch was reported on November 2, 2026.
Who the portal is meant to help
IIT Bombay said the portal is aimed at farmers and government agencies. The point of the four-week lead time is practical: irrigation, crop management and drought preparation all need decisions taken days or weeks before conditions turn severe, not after a crop has already suffered.
That lead time is the clearest test of whether the portal earns regular use. A forecast that arrives early enough to change a decision is useful. One that only confirms what a farmer can already see in a dry field is not.
What the announcement leaves open
One gap is worth stating plainly. The institute’s announcement did not specify how farmers would receive the forecasts or act on them. A public portal is open to anyone with internet access, but that is not the same as a system that reaches farmers who do not check such portals routinely.
That question will matter more than the technology behind the maps. The forecasts can be checked on the KrishiDrought portal, and updates from the institute can be followed on the official IIT Bombay website.
Why students should watch this one
For students, KrishiDrought is a useful example of university research leaving the campus. It combines satellite data, climate science and machine learning, and it applies that mix to a problem that affects farming districts across the country. Students weighing research-led institutes can read our guide on how to choose a university in India to see what to look for beyond entrance ranks.
Whether the portal becomes a routine tool for districts, or stays a well-built research output, will depend on the next few months of use. The forecasts are public now, and the weekly updates will show how well they hold up when dry spells actually arrive.
Frequently asked questions
What is KrishiDrought.in?
It is a public portal from IIT Bombay that publishes weekly agricultural drought forecasts for India, up to four weeks ahead, at district level.
How far ahead can the portal warn of dry conditions?
Up to four weeks, according to the institute’s announcement.
Who built KrishiDrought.in?
The Ecohydrology research group at IIT Bombay, led by Prof. Karthikeyan Lanka, working from the Centre of Studies in Resources Engineering and the Centre for Climate Studies.
Where can the forecasts be checked?
On the KrishiDrought portal at krishidrought.in.
Frequently asked questions
What is KrishiDrought.in?
It is a public portal from IIT Bombay that publishes weekly agricultural drought forecasts for India, up to four weeks ahead, at district level.
How far ahead can the portal warn of dry conditions?
Up to four weeks, according to the institute's announcement.
Who built KrishiDrought.in?
The Ecohydrology research group at IIT Bombay, led by Prof. Karthikeyan Lanka, working from the Centre of Studies in Resources Engineering and the Centre for Climate Studies.
Where can the forecasts be checked?
On the KrishiDrought portal at krishidrought.in.
Sources: Free Press Journal, NewsBytes