A STUDY OF DISASTER

MANAGEMENT
"DROUGHT"
 CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Objective
3. Types of Droughts
4. Occurrence of Droughts in the World
5. Droughts in India
6. Historical Droughts in India
7. Causes of Droughts
8. Impacts of Droughts
9. Drought relief
10.Mitigation of Drought
 INTRODUCTION
Drought is shortly the unusual dryness of soil due to the levels of rainfall.
Drought occurs when rainfall is significantly below average over a prolonged period.
It is an event of shortages in the water supply, surface water, or groundwater.
Shortage of water, dry and hot winds, rise in temperature and consequent evaporation
of moisture from the ground contribute to conditions of drought.
Droughts result in crop failure. Droughts have a major impact on the ecosystem and
agriculture of the affected regions.
Also, droughts harm the local economy of the region.
 OBJECTIVES
 Understanding the concept of Droughts
To discuss the causes of drought
To discuss the impacts of droughts
To discuss the ways of prevention and mitigation
To analyze the situation of droughts both at global as well as Indian level
To throw some light on the recent pattern of the phenomenon
 COMMONLY USED DEFINITIONS OF
DROUGHT
◦ A temporary reduction in water or moisture availability significantly below the
normal or expected level for a specified period
◦ A period of dry weather of sufficient length and severity to cause at least
partial crop failure
◦ Actual moisture supply at a given place consistently falls short of the
climatically expected moisture supply
 DROUGHTS ACCORDING TO APEX
RESEARCH INSTITUTES
◦ It is temporary aberration in aridity which is permanent feature of climate ...National Institute of
Disaster Management ,India
◦ It is often referred to as a "creeping phenomenon" and its impacts vary from region to region...
National Drought Mitigation center, USA
◦ Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) DROUGHT is defined as a situation occurring in any area
when the mean annual rainfall is less than 75% of the normal rainfall. IMD has further classified
droughts into two broad categories as follows:
◦ Severe drought when the deficiency of rainfall exceeds 50% of the normal rainfall, and
◦ Moderate drought when the deficiency of rainfall is between 25% and 50% off normal rainfall.
 TYPES OF DROUGHTS

METEOROLOGICAL drought refers to an HYDROLOGICAL drought refers to low AGRICULTURAL drought occurs when a SOCIOECONOMIC drought refers to when
extended period of dry weather patterns. water supply in our rivers, lakes ,aquifers, water shortage significantly damages or a water shortage affects the supply and
and other reservoirs destroys agricultural crops. demand of drought commodities, such as
that often follows meteorological drought. water, food grains , and fish.
 METEOROLOGICAL
DROUGHT
Meteorological drought is usually
defined on the basis of the degree of
dryness ( in comparison to some
normal or average amount) and the
duration of the dry period. Definitions
of meteorological drought must be
considered as specific to a region since
that most spheric conditions that result
in deficiencies of precipitation are
highly variable from region to region.
 HYDROLOGICAL
DROUGHT
Hydrological drought is associated
with the effects of periods of
precipitation (including snowfall)
shortfalls on surface or subsurface
water supply ( i.e., stream flow,
reservoir and lake levels,
groundwater). The frequency and
severity of hydrological drought is
often defined on a watershed or river
basin scale.
 AGRICULTURAL
DROUGHT
Agricultural drought links various
characteristics of material
logical( or hydrological ) drought to
agricultural impacts, focusing on
precipitation shortages, differences
between actual and potential
evapotranspiration, soil water
deficits, reduced groundwater or
reservoir levels, and so forth.
 SOCIOECONOMIC
DROUGHT
Socioeconomic -This occurs when
physical water shortage starts to
affect people, individually and
collectively or, in more abstract
terms, most socio economic
definitions of drought are
associated with the supply and
demand of an economic good.
The General sequence for the occurrence of different
drought types
Occurrence of Droughts in the world
HISTORICAL DROUGHTS IN THE WORLD
 Case study: drought in Brazil
◦In 2014–15, Brazil suffered its worst
drought in 80 years. The drought
caused power supplies to stop as HEP
schemes were too low, agriculture fell
into crisis, and urban water supplies
froze.
◦Usually, rainfall in Brazil comes from
the moist air that moves in a westerly
direction from the South Atlantic
across the Amazon Basin. This air
encounters the high Andes mountain
range to the West of the continent,
which then is forced to turn
southwards and maintain the
moisture around the Basin.
Cause of the drought
In 2014-2015 a series of high-pressure systems diverted the rain-bearing
winds further north, away from the Amazon, and also prevented them from
moving southwards towards the Andes. The heavy rains occurred in Bolivia
and Paraguay and dry air remained in Brazil instead.

Impact of the drought

The drought was devastating. More than four million people were affected by
rationing and rolling power cuts. The production of Arabica coffee, a commodity
that Brazil supplies in bulk, fell by 15% which raised the global price by
half. Seventeen of the largest reservoirs were at their lowest point and increased
groundwater abstraction led to aquifers becoming dangerously low.
 DROUGHTS IN INDIA
Drought is a major environmental issue in India that causes severe hardships for people across large parts of the
country. India has a largely agrarian economy and drought impacts crop production significantly, leading to
reduced incomes for farmers. Prolonged periods of low rainfall and high temperatures dry up water sources,
reducing the amount of surface water and depleting groundwater reserves.
◦ According to estimates, more than 50 million people across over 300 districts in India were impacted by drought
in 2019.
◦ Successive years of drought, as was seen in parts of Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu between 2016-
2019, exacerbate the water crisis and make things worse for farmers who are struggling to cope.
◦ Apart from the availability of water for irrigation, drought affects drinking water supply for both people and
cattle in rural areas, resulting in long treks to fetch water from distant wells and lakes.
◦ The scarcity of fodder impacts livestock health and adds to farmers' distress.
◦ With climate change, the frequency of droughts in the country may increase as per some projections.
 HISTORICAL DROUGHTS IN INDIA
S.N. Year Affected area People affected

1. 1966 Bihar and Orissa 50 million

2. 1969 Rajasthan ,Gujarat, TN, UP,AP, Haryana, Karnataka , and MP 15 million

3. 1970 Bihar and Rajasthan 17.2 million

4. 1972 Rajasthan ,Himachal and Uttar Pradesh 50 million

5. 1979 Eastern Rajasthan ,HP ,Punjab and UP 200 million

6. 1982 Rajasthan ,Himachal Pradesh and Punjab 100 million

7. 1983 TN ,West Bengal , Kerala ,Rajasthan ,Karnataka ,Bihar and Orissa 100 million

8. 1987 Entire North ,West and Eastern India 300 million

9. 2000 Rajasthan ,Gujarat ,Orissa ,Andhra and MP Over 100 million

10. 2002 Rajasthan , Karnataka , AP and TN Over 300 million

HISTORY OF DROUGHTS IN INDIA
PERCENTAGE OF DROUGHT AFFECTED
DISTRICTS-2015-16
Uttar Pradesh 67%
Telangana 70%
Rajasthan 58%
Odisha 90%
Maharashtra 78%
Madhya Pradesh 90%
Karnataka 93%
Jharkhand 92%
Gujarat 15%
Chhattisgarh 93%
Andhra Pradesh 77%
 DROUGHT
PRONE
AREAS (IMD)
 CAUSES OF DROUGHT

Failure of Unsustainable
El Nino events
monsoons water use

Land
Deforestaion Climate change degradation
and soil erosion
 IMPACTS OF DROUGHTS
•
Direct •
•
Reduced agricultural production
Depleted water level
Higher mortality rate for humans
Impacts • Damage to livestock

•
Indirect •
•
Reduced income for farmers
Increased unemployment
Increased rate of inflation
Impacts • Decrease purchase capacity
DROUGHT IMPACTS
ECONOMIC
IMPACTS

ENVIRONMENTAL
IMPACTS

SOCIAL IMPACTS
 • Costs and losses to agricultural production
• Costs and losses to livestock produce
• Livestock from timber production
ECONO • Unemployment
MIC • Financial strain on institution
IMPAC
TS

• Damage to animal species

• Hydrological effects
• Damage to plant community
ENVIR • Increase in air pollutants
ONME • Loss of wet lands, lower water levels in reservoirs, lakes and ponds
NTAL • Restrain on water use
IMPAC
TS

• Health
• Mental stress in population
• Reduction in nutrition
• Loss of security
SOCIAL • Anxiety
IMPAC
TS
 DROUGHT RELIEF
Multi- sectoral and multi-dimensional relief and response are to be given at the onset of droughts.
1. Contingency crop planning
 Dissemination of information to farmers
 Suggestion of cropping to farmers region wise and season wise
 Advocate crop diversity
 Provision of Agro - advisory agency which can render advice to farmers at no benefit and cost
2. Support to farmers
Agriculture input support
Energy support
Extension support
Tax free credits to farmers
Incentives for production of allied products such as animal husbandry and milk production etc.
 ...DROUGHT RELIEF
3. Relief employment
 NREGS (National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme)
 Local Area Development Programs (MP-LAD and MLA-LAD funds)
 Relief employment by District disaster management committee
4. Water resources management
 Provision of water for basic need of human
 Provision of water for basic need of cattle
 Reservoir management
 Repair of existing water supply systems
 ...DROUGHT RELIEF
5. Food security
 Provision of food
 Providing nutritional food with the help of ICDS (Integrated Child
Development Schemes)
 Mid- Day meal programs
 Cattle camps and fodder supply
 Low cost grain supply with the help of PDS (Public distribution system)
 Government schemes for Drought prone areas
(India)

Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana(PMKSY)

-Enhance irrigation potential and water use efficiency in agriculture.
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act(MGNREGA)
-Provide 100 days of wage employment to rural households. Mitigate drought through employment
in water conservation and irrigation activities like check dam construction ,farm ponds and watershed management.
National Food Security Mission(MFSM)
-Promote sustainable agriculture and increase food grain production in drought prone areas.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
-Offer crop insurance for financial support to farmers in case of crop loss due to natural calamities, including drought.
 Solutions to Mitigate Drought:
Water Conservation

Irrigation Efficiency

Afforestation & Watershed Management

Efficient Water Management

Early Warning Systems

Public Awareness and Capacity building

RECENT PATTERN OF DROUGHT (INDIA)
• India Meteorological Department (IMD) reported August 2023 as the driest in 123 years,
witnessing a rainfall deficit of 36%. This anomaly has raised concerns of a potential drought
year. A drought year occurs when monsoon rainfall falls below a 10% deficit from the long-
term average. Historical data shows that 10 out of the past 14 drought years were linked to
El Niño occurrences.
• Drought occurrences in consecutive monsoon seasons are frequent in specific regions:
northwest India (particularly west Rajasthan), Saurashtra & Kutch, Jammu & Kashmir, and
Rayalaseema in the Peninsular India.
Impacts of Current Drought:
Recent data from the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare indicates reduced
sowing of kharif crops:
•Pulses saw a decrease from 13 million ha in 2022 to 11.9 million ha in 2023.
•Oilseed area dropped by 0.18 million ha, while jute and cotton cultivation also declined.
•However, rice, sugarcane, and cereals sowing has increased compared to the previous year.
The drought’s agricultural impacts highlight potential challenges and consequences for
various crops, prompting concerns about food security and economic implications.
 Case study-2002 Drought(Rajasthan)
In the history of Rajasthan the drought of 2002 was among the worst droughts, caused by the failure of the
southwest monsoon in all the 32 districts. All districts received scanty deficient rainfall . Overall monsoon
rainfall deficiency in Rajasthan in 2002 was (-)65%,i.e, 65% below normal, which was the lowest in the last 100
years. In western parts of Rajasthan, the situation was worse with monsoon rain deficiency being 71% below
normal.
IMPACTS OF DROUGHT
 In 40990 villages, 4.48 crore people and 4.52 crore livestock were in the grip of drought of rare severity.
Almost entire crop was damaged due to long dry spell throughout July 2002. As against the normal
sown area of 129 lakh hectares in kharif, only 82.26 lakh hectares could be sown.
 Most of the surface water sources were dry, groundwater table was depleted by 3.2 meters to 6 meters add
reservoirs received only 32% water against their designed capacity.
 Drought 2002 was the fifth year of drought in succession in Rajasthan and a drought of rare severity.
 The combination of inflation, unemployment and reduced agricultural and industrial output led to
depression of demand in the economy of the state.
 At the household level, the major impact of drought was on income and consequently, poor people were
the worst sufferers due to severe food shortage.
 DROUGHT MANAGEMENT MEASURES
◦ Early warning system
◦ Action plan
◦ Relief measures: 1) Drinking water
2) Wealth and nutrition
3) Employment generation
4) Cattle conservation
THANKYOU