Broadly drought is perceived as a sharply felt water deficit caused by variations in the natural hydro-meteorological factors, agro-ecological conditions, and moisture requirements of crops under prevailing cropping choices (systems, patterns).

• A third of the country is drought-prone. It affects parts of Rajasthan (chronically), Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Uttar Pradesh (UP), Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, and Andhra Pradesh.

Nodal Ministry: Min. of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare (MAFW)

Types of Droughts:

1. Meteorological Drought occurs when there is a prolonged period of significantly below-average precipitation. An example is a region experiencing several consecutive months of below-average rainfall, which leads to water shortages.
2. Agricultural Drought: When there is insufficient moisture for crops and vegetation to grow, impacting agriculture. Example: A prolonged dry spell affecting crop yields and forcing farmers to irrigate more
3. Hydrological Drought: This type reduces water availability in streams, rivers, and reservoirs. Example: A river experiencing low water levels due to prolonged dry conditions.
4. Socioeconomic Drought: When the impact of a drought extends to economic and social systems, affecting communities. An example is a drought causing food and water shortages, leading to economic hardship and migration.

Criteria To Declare:

The National Commission on Agriculture in India defines three types of droughts:

1. Meteorological drought — A situation when there is more than a 25% decrease from the long-term average precipitation over an area.
2. Agricultural drought, — the situation when soil moisture and rainfall are inadequate to support healthy crop growth
3. Hydrological drought — Prolonged meteorological drought manifested in depletion of surface and sub-surface water resources, which could occur even when the rainfall is normal if there has been a substantial reduction in surface water holding.

Causes:

1. Rainfall Deficiency:  Significant deficiency in rainfall, especially during the monsoon season, below-average monsoon rainfall can lead to drought conditions.
2. El Niño and La Niña: These climate phenomena in the Pacific Ocean can disrupt the normal monsoon patterns in India. El Niño is associated with drier conditions, while La Niña can bring excess rainfall or erratic monsoons.
3. Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD): IOD events, characterized by sea surface temperature anomalies in the Indian Ocean, can influence the monsoon. A positive IOD can lead to drier conditions in India, contributing to droughts.
4. Delayed or Erratic Monsoons: Sometimes, the monsoon onset may be delayed, or the rains may be irregular, leading to uneven distribution of rainfall across regions and drought in some areas.
5. Temperature Extremes: High temperatures and heat waves can exacerbate drought conditions by increasing evaporation rates and drying out soil and water sources.
6. Deforestation and Land Degradation: Land-use changes, deforestation, and soil degradation can reduce the land’s capacity to retain moisture, making it more susceptible to drought.
7. Over-Extraction of Groundwater: Excessive withdrawal of groundwater for irrigation and domestic use can deplete aquifers and contribute to drought conditions.
8. Inefficient Water Management:  inefficient irrigation methods and mismanagement of water resources, exacerbate water scarcity during droughts.
9. Climate Change: Long-term climate change can alter precipitation patterns and increase the frequency and severity of drought events.

Mitigation:

• Drought Monitoring and Early Warning Systems:
  1. Establish and maintain EW systems to track rainfall, soil moisture, reservoir levels, and crop conditions.
  2. Provide timely information to farmers, policymakers, and the public about impending drought conditions.
• Contingency Planning:
  1. Prepare contingency plans at the district and state levels to respond to drought situations promptly.
  2. Ensure these plans include provisions for food and water supply, livestock care, and support for affected communities.
• Water Management:
  1. Promote efficient water management practices, including rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharge, and the equitable distribution of water resources.
  2. Encourage the construction of small-scale water storage structures like check dams and farm ponds.
• Crop Diversification and Resilience:
  1. Encourage crop diversification to reduce dependency on water-intensive crops.
  2. Promote the adoption of drought-resistant crop varieties and sustainable agricultural practices.
• Social Safety Nets:
  1. Establish mechanisms to provide food and financial assistance to vulnerable populations during drought emergencies.
  2. Identify and prioritize the needs of marginalized communities and vulnerable groups.
• Awareness and Education:
  1. Educate farmers and communities about drought preparedness, water conservation, and sustainable land use practices.
  2. Promote training programs for farmers on resilient farming techniques.
• Research and Development: Invest in research and development to improve drought forecasting, crop varieties, and agricultural practices suited to arid and semi-arid regions.
• Infrastructure Development: Invest in rural infrastructure development, including roads, irrigation systems, and storage facilities to improve agricultural resilience.
• Cross-Sectoral Coordination: Facilitate coordination among various government departments, agencies, and stakeholders involved in drought management.
• Legislation and Policy Framework: Review and update drought-related legislation and policies to ensure they are responsive to evolving drought challenges.

NDMA Guidelines:

There is a need to develop a multi-criteria index to classify droughts based on several factors such as the following:

1. Meteorological (rainfall, temperature, etc.)
2. Soil conditions (depth, type, available water content, etc.)
3. Surface water use (proportion of irrigated area, surface water supplies, etc.)
4. Groundwater (availability, utilization, etc.)
5. Crop (cropping pattern changes, land use, crop conditions, anomalies in crop condition, etc.)
6. Socio-economic (proportion of weaker sections, poverty, size class of farm holdings, etc.)

Way Forward:

It is essential that along with a drought monitoring system, medium and long-term area-specific plans be prepared for drought-proofing of susceptible areas. While drought-proofing measures can significantly improve the coping capacity and dampen the impact of drought.