Assessing water loss in Harirud-Murghab River Basin during summer season 2022

Abstract

Efficient irrigation practices are based on a comprehensive understanding of water loss and water consumption for which the remote–sensed actual evapotranspiration is a proper proxy. By utilizing MODIS remote sensing imagery, actual evapotranspiration data was retrieved, which is a meaningful proxy to estimate water loss from soil. Cropland extent information was collected from ESA WorldCover, a land cover dataset based on Sentinel-1 and Sentinel-2 data 1,2. Through the integration of these datasets, a bivariate map with a hexagon grid (cells of 90 square kilometers) showcasing water loss patterns and cropland distribution. This approach contributes valuably to the Afghanistan Emergency Food Security Project's (OSRO/AFG/213/WBK) objectives, aiding in informed irrigation and water management strategies.