RS & GIS Applications In Water Resources

Remote Sensing technologies provide synoptic, multi-temporal, and high-resolution data essential for quantitative analysis of hydrological variables. Satellite-based sensors such as MODIS, Landsat, and Sentinel are utilized to monitor parameters including surface water extent, evapotranspiration rates, soil moisture, precipitation patterns, and land use/land cover dynamics. These datasets enable advanced hydrological modeling, support early warning systems for floods and droughts, and inform long-term assessments of water availability and climate change impacts. The integration of remote sensing with ground-based observations enhances spatial and temporal resolution in water resources assessments.

Geographic Information Systems (GIS) serve as a robust framework for the storage, manipulation, and spatial analysis of hydrologic and geospatial datasets. Through GIS-based modeling, it is possible to delineate watershed boundaries, simulate surface runoff using Digital Elevation Models (DEMs), and conduct spatial interpolation of hydro-meteorological data. Moreover, GIS facilitates the coupling of hydrodynamic models such as SWAT, HEC-HMS, and MIKE SHE for the simulation of complex watershed processes. At the National Water Research Center, the combined use of Remote Sensing and GIS supports integrated water resources management (IWRM), enhances data-driven policy development, and contributes to national efforts in water security and climate adaptation.