Giriraj Amarnath
Research Group Leader - Water Data for Climate Resilience / Principal Researcher – Disaster Risk Management and Climate Resilience
Areas of expertise
Drought remote sensing Food security Floods Risks Index-based insurance Data emergency responseGiriraj previously worked at the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) to understand disaster risks for mountain ecosystems (2008-2011), and was a Research Associate at the University of Bayreuth, Germany (2006-2008). In 2003, he received a PhD in applied remote sensing and landscape ecology from the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) at the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO). In 2005, he worked as a postdoc at the French Institute of Pondicherry, India, on fire ecology and species niche modeling, and was a faculty member at the University of Bayreuth, Germany, teaching remote sensing for global change ecology.
Current projects
Latest news for Giriraj Amarnath
COP30 signals a paradigm shift from emissions-only thinking to resilience and water-centered solutions
In Belém, COP30 highlighted critical pathways for countries to advance water centric climate action ...
The climate and humanitarian impact of Sri Lanka’s floods
IWMI’s Giriraj Amarnath spoke to Sami Zeidan Live on Al Jazeera News on December 4, 2025 about the climate and humanitarian impact of the widespread floods in Sri Lanka. Amarnath ...
Cyclone Ditwah’s impact on Sri Lanka
IWMI's Giriraj Amarnath talked to Lewis Vaughan Jones live on BBC News show The Context on November 28, 2025, about the situation in Sri Lanka after Cyclone Ditwah caused widespread ...
IWMI introduces AI tool for climate-smart planning and investments
The Climate Risk Intelligence Assistant makes climate data more accessible, guiding national adaptation and investment decisions ...
Water security for Pakistan’s drought-prone regions
Pakistan and IWMI strengthen drought resilience initiatives through strategic partnership ...
India to get its first AI-based chatbot to tackle drought
SukhaRakshak AI, the drought protector, is to transform the realities of millions of farmers and their communities ...
IWMI and partners are catalyzing climate resilience in India
The recent launch of the CGIAR Climate Action Program in the Indian states of Odisha and Tamil Nadu marks a major step toward integrating science-based climate solutions into state-level planning ...
IWMI pilots index-based flood insurance in Zambia
This groundbreaking approach to insurance can help farmers receive payments faster after disasters and become more climate resilient ...
Sri Lanka is now AWARE
IWMI launches the early warning, early action, early finance platform to pre-empt disaster in Sri Lanka ...
IWMI and partners kick off climate action program in Sri Lanka
National stakeholders committed to scaling climate adaptation and resilience at the launch of the CGIAR Climate Action Program at IWMI’s Headquarters in Colombo ...
New climate plan launched to boost resilience in Tamil Nadu’s drought and flood-prone districts
CGIAR climate action plan in India's Tamil Nadu to boost drought and flood resilience ...
Climate action initiative launched in Indian state Odisha
IWMI launches a new climate action program in Odisha to address extreme weather threats and enhance rural resilience ...
Latest publications by Giriraj Amarnath
Report
National training workshop in Sri Lanka on Enhancing Paddy Mapping through Open-Source Geospatial Data and Technologies
International Water Management Institute; CGIAR Climate Action Program | December 24th, 2025
Report
National workshop on Drought Management: Knowledge Products and Tools for Sri Lanka
International Water Management Institute; CGIAR Climate Action Program | December 24th, 2025
Report
Training program on “Strengthening Anticipatory Action and Early Warning through the AWARE Platform” in Sri Lanka
International Water Management Institute; CGIAR Climate Action Program | December 23rd, 2025
