DEMs like that of Cartosat, SRTM etc. are an essential input data in many hydrological models to simulate and make future predictions. However, some literatures have begun highlighting the inadequacy of the current DEMs (available for India) to model the system accurately owing to their lack of precision.
Hi Ishita,
Alternatively to SRTM, ASTER GDEM or even Cartosat DEM, you can use the ALOS DEM with 12.5 m of spatial resolution for hydrological modelling in rugged mountainous terrains in India. It is going to represent very well even some creeks.
Here you'll find a tutorial on how to download it: https://youtu.be/eMVw8MLPpus
Please refer to this paper "evaluation of the newly released worldwide aw3d30 dem over typical landforms of china using two global dems and icesat/glas data", where we found that the drainage network derived from AW3D30 is more accurate than that from SRTM1 and GDEM2 when compared with the real river network.
Hi Ishita Bhatnagar ,
As mentioned by Jorge Arigony-Neto ALOS DEM with 12.5m spatial resolution is really good for any kind of elevation related study. But before going for any kind of study, kindly rectify the DEM with the help of valid GCPs. Especially if your study region falls in hilly or mountainous area.
It is true that most of the freely available DEMs are not useful for representing the exact ground situations of topography especially in the flat alluvium lands of India. For making a conceptual or lumped hydrological model it does not make much issues unless you are trying to generate the model parameters directly from the DEM.
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