Droughts, types and measures taken by Indian Government

Drought is a period of unusually dry weather that may stretch long enough to cause problems in a region such as drinking water shortage, crop damage, affect livelihood of people. Ultimately leads to overall loss to the economy and natural resources of the country.

Causes and Types of Droughts

Droughts not only caused due to lack of precipitation or extreme warm weather conditions but sometimes by overuse, overpopulation and over demand. Further causes of droughts can be classified into four major categories including:- Meteorological droughts measured due to changes in the patterns of precipitation in different regions, Hydrological droughts deals with the flow of water in the streams, rivers running in the region, Agricultural droughts means the lack of availability of water at the time of need for the growth of crop during different growing stages and Socioeconomic droughts occurs when the demand of water is more than the availability of water.

Effects of Droughts

Droughts are reoccurring natural or man-made calamities due to development of dry conditions. Prolonged droughts leads to issues such as loss of vegetation, loss of biodiversity, famine, loss of income, public rehabilitation, malnutrition, deaths and desertification; land turns unfit for the growth of trees. Droughts in India lead to death of millions of people over the period of time. Indian agriculture is heavily based upon the climatic conditions. Favorable summer south west monsoon is critical for the economic development and food security of the citizens of country.
Drought prone areas in India
Drought prone areas of India are divided on the basis of variability in distribution of precipitation and can be shown into 4 major categories.
1. Extreme drought prone area- including the areas of western Rajasthan and kachchh region of Gujarat.
2. Severe drought prone area- Eastern Rajasthan, Western Haryana, Western UP, Eastern MP, border region of AP and Telengana, and Karnataka plateau, northern parts of Tamil Nadu, Interior regions of Odish, Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand.
3. Moderate drought prone area- Central Haryana, southern UP, Remaining parts of Gujarat, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu
4. Less drought prone areas- rest of the India

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Measures to fight droughts:-

1. Proper implementation of MGNEREGA wage days and timely payment.
2. Arrangement of drinking water tankers for basic requirements.
3. Medical support in affected areas. Like hydration solutions, ORS.
4. Proper implementation of PDS supplies.
5. Support with the help of NGO’s and other local bodies to control the situation.
6. Crop insurances to save cultivators from crop loss.
7. Shifting of cattle to fodder rich areas.
8. Proper implementation of National Food security act.
9. Judicious utilization of water resources.
10. Construction of dams and barrages.

Measures taken by Indian Government-

To provide immediate relief to farmers government of India has taken many steps under disaster management guidelines central government encourages state governments technologically and financially through programs such as Accelerated Irrigation benefit program, Command area development program, and Watershed Management program to manage and develop the natural resources. Measures taken includes:-
1. Diesel subsidy to farmers in affected areas.
2. Enhanced seed subsidy to farmers
3. Interventions with appropriate inputs to rejuvenate water stressed horticulture crops.
4. Implementation of additional fodder development programs
5. Crop contingency plans in the events of late monsoons, long dry spells, deficit rainfall, etc. with the availability of seed, potable water and other necessary inputs.
6. SMS service, Radio and Television programs to educate the farmers.
7. Development and management of socioforestry and agroforestry.
8. Development of livestock and dairy industry.
9. Restructuring of cropping patterns.
10. Protection of the catchment area of rivers.
11. Water management through construction of canals, dams and barrages.
The government should make plans to manage the water resources holistically. It should be done in coordination with the local residents and local governments and other bodies. Measures such as State Disaster Management Fund (SDMF) are directly implemented by state governments with assistance from center government. Current prime minister emphasized to increase the awareness about water conservation, storage and involving youth organizations such as NCC, NSS, Scouts and guides to implement these actions. In addition to it plantation of more trees will also contribute to improve the water cycle with transpiration and precipitation. Therefore the effect and occurrence of droughts can be avoided or the intensity of damage can be reduced to minimum.
 

By: Anubhav Puri