Drought
Drought is a complex natural phenomenon characterized by a prolonged period of deficient rainfall relative to the statistical multi-year average for a region, leading to water shortages that adversely affect agriculture, water supply, and ecological balance. Unlike aridity, which is a permanent climate feature, drought is a temporary aberration and can occur in all climatic regimes. Its onset and conclusion are often gradual and difficult to determine, making continuous monitoring essential.
Types of Droughts
- Meteorological Drought: This type occurs when there is a significant decrease in precipitation compared to the area’s long-term average. In India, it is classified as moderate when the rainfall deficit is between 26–50% and severe when the deficit exceeds 50%.
- Hydrological Drought: This form is characterized by deficiencies in surface and subsurface water supplies, leading to reduced streamflow, reservoir levels, and groundwater availability. It often follows meteorological droughts but can also result from increased water demand.
- Agricultural Drought: Triggered by meteorological and hydrological droughts, this type occurs when soil moisture becomes insufficient, affecting crop growth and leading to reduced agricultural productivity.
Impacts of Drought
- Economic Impacts: Drought leads to reduced agricultural output, affecting farmers’ incomes and increasing food prices. It also impacts industries reliant on water, leading to broader economic challenges.
- Environmental Impacts: Lower water levels in natural reservoirs affect wildlife habitats, increase soil erosion, and lead to loss of biodiversity.
- Social Impacts: Water scarcity can cause migration, health issues due to malnutrition, and conflicts over water resources.
Drought-Prone Areas in India
Approximately 16% of India’s geographic area is drought-prone, affecting about 50 million people annually. Regions particularly vulnerable include Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Karnataka.
Drought Preparedness and Mitigation
- Regulation and Enforcement: Implementing policies to prevent unplanned development in vulnerable areas and enforcing water conservation measures.
- Capacity Development: Educating communities about drought risks and promoting water-saving techniques.
- Structural Measures: Building infrastructure like reservoirs and canals to store and distribute water efficiently.
- Non-Structural Measures: Developing early warning systems and drought monitoring networks to anticipate and manage drought conditions effectively.
Monitoring and Forecasting
Effective drought management relies on monitoring indicators such as rainfall patterns, soil moisture levels, and water reservoir statuses. Technologies like satellite imagery and ground-based observations are employed to assess and predict drought conditions.
Cloud Seeding in India
Cloud seeding has been explored as a method to enhance rainfall in drought-affected regions of India. States like Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Andhra Pradesh have conducted cloud seeding experiments to induce precipitation. For instance, the Karnataka government-initiated cloud seeding operations in 2003 and 2004 to address water shortages.
While cloud seeding presents a potential tool for drought mitigation, its effectiveness is subject to scientific evaluation and depends on specific atmospheric conditions. Therefore, it is considered as part of a broader integrated water resource management strategy.
Micro Irrigation Systems
Efficient water resource utilization is crucial for India’s agricultural growth and GDP enhancement. Traditional irrigation methods have often led to water wastage and ecological issues like waterlogging and soil degradation. To address this, the Government of India launched a Centrally Sponsored Scheme on Micro Irrigation in January 2006, aiming to promote modern techniques such as drip and sprinkler irrigation. Under this scheme, the cost distribution was: 40% by the Central Government, 10% by the State Government, and the remaining 50% by the beneficiary, either through personal resources or loans. This initiative aimed to minimize evapo-transpiration losses and optimize crop yields.
Post Harvest Management
India incurs significant losses in food grains and agricultural produce annually due to inadequate post-harvest infrastructure and inefficient supply chains. To mitigate these losses, it’s essential to establish a network of cold storages and implement post-harvest management practices like pre-cooling and refrigerated transport. Additionally, minimizing pre-harvest losses through better disease and pest management can further reduce the compounded impact of droughts on agriculture.
Nutritional Aspects of Food Security
The Government addresses nutritional security through schemes like the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) and the Mid-Day Meal Scheme. ICDS focuses on pre-school children, while the Mid-Day Meal Scheme caters to school-going children. In drought-affected areas, where school dropout rates are high, these schemes are expanded to cover out-of-school children, ensuring their nutritional needs are met.
Water Conservation, Storage Structures, and Management
Water harvesting and conservation are vital, especially during periods of water resource depletion. Even in drought-affected regions, significant potential exists for water harvesting if an integrated water resources management approach is adopted. The Government has initiated public-driven programs with incentives to promote water conservation and management. In areas facing successive hydrological droughts, regulatory measures may discourage cultivating water-intensive crops. Additionally, conserving water in minor irrigation tanks for livestock drinking purposes is prioritized during droughts.
Availability of Inputs
Ensuring the timely availability of agricultural inputs at competitive prices is essential for increasing production and productivity. Arrangements are made through institutional agencies like State Seeds Development Corporations (SDC), Marketing Federations (MARKFED), and Cooperative Oil Federations (OILFED). Prompt credit provision in drought-affected areas and extended marketing and price support are also part of this strategy.
Afforestation with Bio-diesel Species
Forests provide essential resources like fuel, fodder, and income to tribal and rural populations. Deforestation, due to activities like shifting cultivation and over-exploitation of non-timber forest produce, has led to significant soil erosion. For instance, in Anantapur District of Andhra Pradesh, 19.49 million hectares of soil were reported eroded due to deforestation as of 2001. Afforestation with bio-diesel species can help restore ecological balance and provide alternative livelihoods.
Public Distribution System (PDS)
The Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), launched in June 1997, focuses on providing essential commodities to households below the poverty line (BPL) through fair price shops. This system aims to ensure food security among economically disadvantaged sections by distributing food grains at subsidized rates.
Crop Insurance
Agricultural insurance is a critical instrument to mitigate the financial impact of droughts on farmers. The Government of India introduced the Comprehensive Crop Insurance Scheme (CCIS) in 1985, later replaced by the National Agricultural Insurance Scheme (NAIS) in 1999. In 2003, the Agriculture Insurance Company of India (AIC) was established to better serve farmers’ needs and move towards a sustainable actuarial regime.
Implementing these measures collectively aims to enhance agricultural productivity, ensure food security, and improve the livelihoods of farmers, especially in drought-prone areas.