Satellite and Machine Learning Identify Soil Erosion Hotspots in Drought-Prone Jonk River Basin
Satellite and Machine Learning Identify Soil Erosion Hotspots in Drought-Prone Jonk River Basin
IN · Published Oct 8, 2026
• Researchers have developed a detailed map of soil erosion hotspots in the drought-prone Jonk River Basin, a tributary of the Mahanadi River in eastern India.
• The study, published in 'Discover Soil', utilised the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE), geographic information systems (GIS), satellite remote sensing, and machine learning to assess erosion risks across the basin's eight sub-basins.

Impact & Risks

The study reveals that soil erosion in the Jonk River Basin is a significant threat to agriculture and the environment. The most affected areas, such as sub-basin SB-8, experience annual soil losses of up to 137.5 tonnes per hectare, which could lead to reduced agricultural productivity and long-term environmental degradation. The region's vulnerability is exacerbated by its reliance on monsoon rains, which are concentrated in a short period, causing intense runoff and soil loss. The lack of adequate soil conservation measures, such as vegetative stabilisation and water management structures, further increases the risk of erosion, threatening the livelihoods of local farmers and the sustainability of the ecosystem.

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