Project PI: Dr. Nana Bolashvili, Principal Researcher, Corresponding Mamber of Georgian National Academy of Sciences, Director of Institute of Geography

Droughts are complex natural disasters with devastating social, economic, and environmental impacts.

In Georgia, drought-coupled with the country’s intrinsic vulnerability due to its dependence on agriculture-has significant socio-economic effects and disproportionately affects the rural population. Moreover, given current climate change trends, droughts are likely to occur more frequently in the near future. In this context, drought preparedness is becoming a priority for both central and local governments.

While droughts cannot be entirely prevented or avoided, their impacts can be mitigated, and recovery can be facilitated. To manage drought effectively, it is crucial to shift from reactive responses to proactive strategies focused on risk reduction, prevention, and resilience-building.

Drought research in Georgia is currently fragmented and unsystematic. There is no comprehensive drought management plan or risk mapping available. This research proposes a novel, integrated approach to drought analysis by combining remote sensing data (e.g., satellite-derived vegetation and soil moisture data), ground station data (e.g., air temperature, precipitation, evapotranspiration), and socioeconomic indicators. The indicators and indices proposed in this study offer the means to determine the severity, localization, duration, and end of drought conditions. Information derived from these indicators is valuable for planning and designing applications such as vulnerability and risk assessments.

The results of this study are innovative, holding strategic importance for the country and offering potential for broader application. The final product can be used not only to develop a national development plan but also to coordinate actions during drought emergencies and other related uses. The project fosters the advancement of national capacities in environmental monitoring, remote sensing, data analytics, and climate modeling. It will stimulate innovation, support the development of local expertise, and strengthen institutional capacities.

Project sustainability will be supported by publishing the research findings on a dedicated website, where updates can be made regularly. Articles will also be prepared for submission to international peer-reviewed, indexed journals. To ensure broad dissemination, the findings will be presented at scientific conferences, helping reach the target audience effectively.

The project envisions inviting a foreign advisor, whose expertise will significantly benefit the research team in successfully implementing the project.