This document discusses the importance of satellite-derived information for early warning systems. It describes how the water requirement satisfaction index (WRSI) uses satellite data to indicate crop performance based on water availability. WRSI can be related to expected crop yields. The document then explains how to calculate the actual water balance on a dekad basis using potential evapotranspiration, crop coefficients, and rainfall data. Soil moisture factors like field capacity and wilting point are also defined. Finally, the relationship between crop water use and yields is discussed, showing how water deficit affects expected crop yields.