<p>Soil moisture plays a vital role in land-atmosphere interactions, agricultural management, and crop yield. This study assesses the spatial and temporal variability of soil moisture in the Taraphini River Basin, India, utilizing optical-thermal and microwave data while also evaluating the impact of land use changes on soil moisture distribution. Soil moisture was retrieved using the TOTRAM model derived from vegetation and land surface temperature data and the TUWCD model, using SAR backscatter data. The field soil moisture was measured using the thermo-gravimetric method of samples collected at three different depths from 56 sites and used for model validation. Field observations showed spatial variability in soil moisture within different soil and land use zones, with deeper layers and fine-textured soils showing increased moisture. Models showed an increase in average soil moisture from 2015 to 2024, with higher levels in forested western regions compared to lower levels in agricultural and bare lands in the central and eastern regions. Validation results show high accuracy for the models at the topsoil. Land use exhibits a strong correlation with soil moisture, where vegetated areas exhibit higher moisture than exposed bare lands. The model outcomes show similar temporal and spatial patterns of soil moisture and reveal a strong correlation with field observations. The results also highlight the influence of vegetation, soil texture, and land use on soil moisture distribution. The integrated optical-thermal and microwave data establish an effective framework for basin-scale soil moisture monitoring and provide valuable information for agricultural management, irrigation schemes, and environmental assessment.</p>