DROUGHT

Published on 23 Feb 2025

Drought is defined as temporary decline in the availability of water or moisture that is significantly below the average or expected level. The Drought in Numbers 2022 report, released by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification reveals a concerning trend of an alarming increase in the frequency and duration of drought around the world.

Types of Drought

Causes of Drought

• Natural Causes

• Deficient Monsoons: Droughts can occur when the monsoon brings less rainfall than usual or is delayed in arriving. 

• Climatic phenomenon: Factors such as El Niño can lead to deficient rainfall which is one of the major cause of drought across the world.

• Geographic Factors: India's vast and diverse geography contributes to varying precipitation patterns. 

• Example: Some regions, such as the arid and semi-arid areas of Rajasthan and parts of Gujarat, are naturally prone to drought due to their low and irregular rainfall.

• Climate Change: Climate change has led to altered weather patterns, including more frequent and severe droughts. Rising temperatures can increase evaporation rates and lead to greater water stress in both surface water bodies and groundwater reservoirs.

• Human-induced causes

• Agriculture without addressing water supply: Cultivation of water guzzling crops like mentha, sugarcane, rice in water stressed Bundelkhand region. 

• Water Mismanagement: Poor water resource management practices, including over-extraction of groundwater, inefficient irrigation techniques, and unequal distribution of water resources, can exacerbate drought conditions. 

• Deforestation: The removal of forests and vegetation can disrupt local climate patterns and reduce the ability of landscapes to retain moisture. This can contribute to decreased rainfall and increased vulnerability to drought.

• Urbanization: Rapid urbanization can lead to increased water demand for domestic and industrial use. The expansion of cities and industries can strain available water resources, particularly during periods of reduced rainfall.

• Example: Bangalore city often face acute water shortage in summer months

• Loss of Wetlands: Wetlands play a crucial role in maintaining water balance and supporting ecosystems. The loss and degradation of wetlands can disrupt this natural water cycle and contribute to drought conditions.

• Population Pressure: India's growing population places increasing demands on water resources for agriculture, industry, and domestic use which can strain water supplies.

• Lack of Water Conservation: Inadequate water conservation practices at the individual, community, and government levels can lead to water wastage and a lack of preparedness for drought events.

Impacts of Drought

• Socioeconomic Impact

• Agricultural Losses: Droughts often lead to crop failures and reduced agricultural productivity, causing financial hardships for farmers.

• Example: In 2020, severe drought in Karnataka resulted in significant losses for sugarcane and paddy farmers.

• Food Security Concerns: Drought-related crop failures can threaten food security by reducing the availability and affordability of essential food items.

• Example: Prolonged drought in Bundelkhand, raised concerns about access to food for local communities.

• Water Scarcity in Urban Areas: Urban areas experience water shortages during droughts, affecting daily life, industries, and commerce.

• Example: Chennai water crisis of 2019, impacted millions of residents and businesses.

• Environmental Impact

• Ecosystem Degradation: Droughts can harm ecosystems, leading to the degradation of natural habitats and a decline in biodiversity.

• Example: desertification of Sahel region catalysed by droughts

• Water Body Depletion: Droughts cause water bodies such as rivers, lakes, and reservoirs to dry up or significantly reduce their water levels.

• Example: Low water levels in the Yamuna River during droughts of 2023 impact water supply and aquatic life in Delhi.

• Forest Fires: Drought conditions increase the risk of forest fires, damaging vast forested areas and releasing carbon into the atmosphere.

• Biodiversity loss: The scarcity of water during droughts affects plant growth, reduces food availability for animals, and leads to increased competition for resources.

• Example: Biodiversity loss in Western Ghats

Challenges in Mitigation

• Data and Monitoring Challenges

• Lack of Timely and Accurate Data: Limited availability of real-time data on rainfall, groundwater levels, and soil moisture makes it difficult to assess drought conditions promptly and accurately.

• Incomplete Historical Records: Inconsistent and incomplete historical weather and climate data can hinder the ability to analyze and model long-term drought trends and patterns.

• Resource Management Challenges

• Poor Water Resource Management: Practices, such as over-extraction of groundwater, over-irrigation, etc, exacerbate water scarcity.

• Agricultural Practices: Traditional and water-intensive farming practices contribute to vulnerability to drought

• Example: Flood irrigation used in rice cultivation waste significant amount of water.

• Infrastructure Gaps: Inadequate infrastructure for water storage, distribution, and treatment can impede effective drought mitigation.

• Deforestation and Land Use Changes: Land-use changes, including deforestation and urbanization, can disrupt local climates and increase susceptibility to drought.

• Climate Change and Variability

• Climate Change Impacts: The increasing unpredictability of weather patterns and the intensification of extreme weather events due to climate change pose new challenges for drought mitigation.

• Erratic Monsoons: Changes in monsoon patterns, including variations in timing and intensity, can lead to more frequent and severe droughts.

• Policy flaws

• Subsidies Encourage Water Wastage: The subsidization of electricity for farmers, particularly in regions with water-intensive crops, can lead to over-extraction of groundwater.

• Inter-state river disputes: When disagreements arise over the allocation of water, it can lead to delays in decision-making and the implementation of water management strategies.

• Example: Cauvery and Krishna rivers water disputes and delays causing droughts in parts of Karnataka.

India’s Current Preparedness

• NDMA Guidelines: Guidelines for Drought Prone Area Delineation, Gradation of Drought Prone Areas and creation of observational networks

• Drought Monitoring Cells: To assess drought situations, monitor rainfall patterns, and provide timely information to authorities and the public. 

• Weather Forecasting Systems: The India Meteorological Department (IMD) continuously monitors weather patterns and provides regular forecasts. 

• Early Warning Systems: Early warning systems for drought-prone regions help communities and authorities take proactive measures based on weather predictions.

• Water Resource Management: States are encouraged to implement sustainable water resource management practices, including rainwater harvesting, watershed development, and efficient irrigation techniques, to reduce water stress during droughts.

• Example: On farm reservoir (OFR) technology in Chhattisgarh, Orissa and Jharkhand

• Crop Insurance Schemes: The government offers crop insurance schemes to farmers to mitigate the financial impact of crop losses due to drought or other weather-related events. 

• Example: Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojana

• Climate-Resilient Agriculture: Initiatives such as crop diversification and the use of drought-resistant crop varieties, help farmers adapt to changing weather patterns.

• Cloud seeding in Drought Prone regions of India: State governments of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra carried out cloud seeding programs since 2003.

Way forward

• Climate-Resilient Infrastructure: Upgrade and develop climate-resilient infrastructure for water storage, distribution, and treatment to ensure consistent water supply during droughts.

• Promote Sustainable Agriculture Practices: Less water intensive Natural Farming, Direct Seeding of Rice, etc can be promoted

• Water Resource Management: Implement Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) plans at regional and state levels to optimize water allocation and usage.

• Drought-Resilient Crops: Continue research and development efforts to breed and promote drought-resistant crop varieties.

• Climate Change Adaptation: Develop and implement climate change adaptation strategies that consider future drought risks and changing precipitation patterns.

• Education and Awareness: Conduct widespread educational campaigns to raise awareness about drought risks and preparedness among communities, local authorities, and policymakers.

• Cross-Sectoral Collaboration: Foster collaboration among government agencies, researchers, NGOs, and communities to create holistic drought management plans.

• Policy and Governance Reforms: Review and revise drought-related policies and regulations to enhance their effectiveness and alignment with changing climate conditions.

Best Practices

• Australia's Millennium Drought Response: During the "Millennium Drought" (1997-2009), Australia implemented a range of water management measures, including water restrictions, investment in desalination plants, and the establishment of the National Water Initiative to improve water allocation and trading.

• Israel's Water Recycling: Israel has invested heavily in wastewater treatment and recycling. It treats about 86% of its domestic wastewater and uses it for agricultural irrigation, thus reducing pressure on freshwater sources.

• Singapore's NEWater Program: Singapore has developed advanced technologies to purify reclaimed wastewater, known as NEWater, which meets up to 40% of the country's water demand.

• Pani Panchayath: Originated in Maharashtra, the Pani Panchayat system functioned on the basis of 'Panchsutri', or five principles:

1. Water sharing principle: Water should be shared on the basis of the number of members per family, not in proportion to the land owned. Land in excess was to be rain-fed. 

2. All members had rights to irrigation: These rights were not attached to the land. If the land was sold, water rights would revert to the Pani Panchayat.

3. Capital cost: Members were to contribute 20% of the initial capital cost, with the remaining 80% being provided by the GGP as an interest-free loan, in case of non-availability of government subsidy. In case of availability of 50% through government subsidy, the remaining 30% would be met by GGP as an interest-free loan.  

4. Landless labourers could avail of water rights to cultivate land owned by others on an informal basis.  

Water-intensive crops like sugarcane, banana, or paddy were not included in the cropping pattern.

Tags:
Disaster Management

Keywords:
DROUGHT disaster disaster management Types of Drought Causes of Drought Impacts of Drought Challenges in Mitigation of drought India’s Current drought Preparedness Best Practices in mitigating drought

Syllabus:
General Studies Paper 3

Topics:
Disaster and Disaster Management