- Drought refers to a temporary decrease in water or moisture availability below the anticipated level for a specific duration.
- It manifests as significantly lower-than-average precipitation during a season that typically receives sufficient rainfall to support both cereal and non-cereal crops.
- In India, the erratic nature of the summer monsoon, characterized by prolonged dry spells and high temperatures, contributes to drought conditions.
- On average, one out of every five years is categorized as a drought year nationwide, while in Rajasthan, this occurs approximately once in every three years.
- Drought is a relative phenomenon, as its inadequacy is measured against prevailing agro-climatic conditions.
- Unlike aridity, which is a permanent condition, drought is a temporary situation.
- Regions classified as arid or semi-arid are more susceptible to drought due to their climatic characteristics.
TYPES AND CAUSES OF DROUGHT:
1. Meteorological Drought:
- This type of drought occurs when there is a significant reduction in rainfall over a specific period compared to the climatological average for that area.
- The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) defines a drought as a situation where the average annual rainfall is less than 75% of the normal.
- The uneven distribution of rainfall, caused by erratic and concentrated precipitation patterns, often leads to frequent droughts despite India’s average annual rainfall of 110 cm.
Causes of Meteorological Droughts:
- Below-average monsoon and lean rainfall.
- Delayed onset or early withdrawal of monsoons.
- Prolonged interruptions in monsoon activity.
2. Hydrological Drought:
- This type is characterized by a decrease in water levels, with surface water droughts affecting resources such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs, while groundwater droughts involve a decline in groundwater levels.
Causes of Hydrological Drought:
- Extensive deforestation.
- Environmentally harmful mining practices.
- Excessive extraction of groundwater.
3. Agricultural Drought:
- Agricultural drought occurs when soil moisture falls below the level required to sustain plant growth, resulting in crop failures due to erratic rainfall and insufficient soil moisture.
Causes of Agricultural Droughts:
- Excessive reliance on High Yielding Seeds (HYV) that demand more water and proper irrigation.
- Alteration in cropping patterns, such as the increased cultivation of water-intensive crops like rice in regions with limited water availability.
4. Socio-Economic Drought:
This type reflects a reduction in food availability and income loss resulting from crop failure.
5. Ecological Drought:
Ecological drought occurs when the natural ecosystem’s productivity declines due to water shortages, leading to environmental damage such as the death of livestock, wildlife, and trees in forests.
DROUGHT MANAGEMENT
Drought management involves a comprehensive approach encompassing three key components, each requiring a holistic strategy to ensure effective outcomes:
Drought Intensity Assessment and Monitoring:
- This component focuses on assessing the severity of drought conditions and continuously monitoring the situation.
- It involves utilizing various indicators to measure drought intensity, such as rainfall patterns, soil moisture levels, groundwater levels, and crop health.
- Continuous monitoring helps in early detection of drought conditions, allowing for timely intervention and mitigation measures.
Drought Declaration and Prioritization of Affected Areas:
- Once drought conditions are identified, the next step is to declare drought and prioritize areas affected by it for effective management.
- This involves analyzing the severity of drought impact on different regions, communities, and population groups.
- Prioritization helps in allocating resources and implementing targeted interventions where they are most needed.
Development and Implementation of Drought Management Strategies:
- This component focuses on developing comprehensive strategies to manage drought effectively.
- It includes measures to mitigate the impact of drought on various sectors such as agriculture, water resources, livestock, and human health.
- Strategies may include water conservation measures, crop diversification, livestock management practices, and public health interventions.
- Implementation of these strategies requires coordination among various stakeholders and government agencies.
NDMA Guidelines for Drought Management:
The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) provides guidelines for effective drought management, which include:
Development of Vulnerability Profiles:
NDMA guidelines emphasize the importance of developing vulnerability profiles for regions, communities, and population groups. These profiles compile critical information related to drought vulnerability, which, when integrated into planning processes, enhances the identification and prioritization of specific areas for intervention.
Establishment of Drought Management Cells (DMCs):
Specific Drought Management Cells are recommended to be set up at the state level under the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA). These DMCs are tasked with preparing vulnerability maps for their respective states, with a focus on arid and semi-arid areas that are most vulnerable to recurring droughts.
Use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT):
NDMA guidelines advocate for the utilization of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) tools and the role of the National Informatics Center (NIC) for online interaction and the availability of real-time drought-related information. This facilitates assessment, early warning, and decision-making processes during drought management.
Assessment of Expected Damage:
NDMA guidelines stress the importance of assessing expected damage caused by drought, including its impact on agricultural production, water resources, livestock, land degradation, deforestation, and human health. This assessment helps in planning and implementing appropriate response measures to mitigate the effects of drought on affected sectors and communities.
FAQs about Droughts and Drought Management:
1. What is drought, and how is it defined?
A: Drought refers to a temporary decrease in water or moisture availability below the anticipated level for a specific duration. It manifests as significantly lower-than-average precipitation during a season that typically receives sufficient rainfall to support both cereal and non-cereal crops.
2. What factors contribute to drought conditions in India?
A: The erratic nature of the summer monsoon, characterized by prolonged dry spells and high temperatures, contributes to drought conditions in India. On average, one out of every five years is categorized as a drought year nationwide, while in Rajasthan, this occurs approximately once in every three years.
3. What are the different types of droughts?
A: There are several types of droughts, including meteorological, hydrological, agricultural, socio-economic, and ecological droughts. Each type is characterized by different factors and impacts, such as reduced rainfall, water shortages, crop failures, and economic losses.
4. What are the causes of meteorological droughts?
A: Meteorological droughts occur due to below-average monsoon rainfall, delayed onset or early withdrawal of monsoons, and prolonged interruptions in monsoon activity. The uneven distribution of rainfall also contributes to frequent droughts despite India’s average annual rainfall.
5. How does drought management work, and what are its components?
A: Drought management involves a comprehensive approach consisting of three key components: drought intensity assessment and monitoring, drought declaration and prioritization of affected areas, and development and implementation of drought management strategies. These components aim to assess drought severity, prioritize interventions, and implement measures to mitigate its impacts.
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