Naga Manohar Velpuri
Principle Researcher & Research Group Leader - Water Data Science for Action (WDSA)
Naga Manohar Velpuri was a technical expert and remote sensing hydrology lead for USGS, DOI, USBR, NASA, UNEP, FAO, and USAID-funded projects. He specializes in using earth observation data for developing a wide variety of water indicator data using consistent methodologies and digital innovation tools for integrated water resources management. His current research projects broadly cover understanding: developing sustainable water resources development plans under climate change; understanding multi-sectoral water demands, supply, and use; assessing the impact of agricultural investments; multi-scale water accounting and productivity analysis; and alternative water uses such as wastewater (generation and reuse) and desalination.
Current projects
Latest news for Naga Manohar Velpuri
In MENA water reuse holds immense potential, yet remains largely untapped
In one of the world’s most water-stressed regions, water reuse is constrained by scarce data. A gap technology is ready to close ...
Digital innovation to bridge Africa’s water data divide
IWMI co-hosts Pan-African symposium on digital solutions for water management in Ethiopia, exploring how open data and digital tools can chart a water-secure future for the continent ...
A digital revolution in action is transforming water management in Africa
Through the Digital Innovations for Water Secure Africa initiative, IWMI and its partners are addressing water challenges across the continent by using innovative digital tools and creating data-driven solutions ...
IWMI and partners tackle water security challenges in Mexico through cutting-edge technology
Mexican water officials and IWMI’s experts explore challenges related to water security in Mexico and work to identify solutions that can be accelerated using AI, Earth Observation data and advanced ...
Water accounting insights to revitalize irrigation schemes in Ethiopia
IWMI used its water accounting approach to identify measures to revitalize the Amibara Irrigation Scheme — with a potential to modernize irrigation management far beyond Amibara ...
How AI can revolutionize water research and management in Africa
At the first Global AI Summit on Africa, IWMI joined leaders, policymakers and innovators from more than 95 countries to explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence to scale existing water ...
IWMI and climate tech startup SunCulture establish landmark partnership to advance sustainable solar irrigation in KenyaÂ
The pioneering partnership aims to scale solar irrigation for climate-resilient agriculture and safeguard Kenya’s water resources ...
IWMI research offers a path to better river discharge estimation in Africa
The continent's ability to adapt to climate change depends, in part, on accurate river discharge estimation ...
IWMI is cultivating a new generation of water experts in Africa
IWMI has expanded DIWASA's scope to emphasize capacity building, stakeholder collaboration, and mentorship ...
IWMI is helping to address gaps in Africa’s water data
A collaborative, stakeholder-driven approach is enhancing capacity and tailoring solutions to local needs ...
Data on continental-scale river discharge are crucial to address water demand
IWMI researchers assess the data gap, existing methods and technologies for river discharge estimation in Africa ...
The Souss-Massa online water accounting dashboard promotes informed resource management
The dashboard uses data from the Water Accounting+ framework to offer a comprehensive view of the basin’s water resources status ...
Latest publications by Naga Manohar Velpuri
Extension Material
Digital solutions for Africa’s water management
International Water Management Institute | August 22nd, 2025
Journal Article
Bridging scales and borders on water availability and use in the transboundary Volta River Basin: a water accounting approach
Elsevier | June, 2025
Report
Enhancing the water accounting plus framework to evaluate field-level water use and availability in rice-dominant cropping system and potential for mapping GHG emissions at scale: a case study for the eastern Gangetic Plains, Bihar, India
International Water Management Institute (IWMI). CGIAR Initiative on Excellence in Agronomy | December 30th, 2024
Contact
For media enquiries, please contact IWMI's communications team.
