This study presents a systematic framework for detecting flash droughts in Kerala, India, using pentad-scale soil moisture percentiles. Rapid drops in soil moisture over brief periods of time were used to distinguish flash droughts from traditional droughts. It has been determined that flash drought events occur frequently throughout the state, with more notable occurrences noted in Palakkad and Idukki districts, based on the findings of the examination of geographical and temporal trends in flash droughts from 1960 to 2023. The detected occurrences were combined with crop yield statistics and corroborated by secondary sources, such as government reports and archive documents, in order to evaluate agricultural impacts. Crop yield variability during 2017–2023 for major crops including paddy, banana, black pepper, and cardamom further validated the identified flash drought impacts, with noticeable yield reductions observed during highly drought-affected years. In order to lessen the detrimental consequences of these rapidly changing drought occurrences in Kerala, the results emphasize the need for improved identification of flash droughts, the creation of reliable early warning systems, and focused agricultural solutions. Study demonstrates that soil moisture-based indicators offer a more reliable framework for flash drought detection in regions characterized by strong land–atmosphere interactions. The results highlight the need to incorporate soil moisture dynamics into drought monitoring systems and early warning frameworks to enhance agricultural resilience and support informed policy interventions.
Aparna et al. (Fri,) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: