A. Drought
Drought is the absence of water over a long period, in a place where it is considered abnormal as compared to its normal conditions. Drought is a complex phenomenon as it involves humidity, precipitation, evaporation, evapotranspiration, groundwater, soil moisture, surface water runoff, agricultural practices, socioeconomic conditions, government policies, and ecological conditions. Drought affects around 68 percent of India, with various degrees of severity and adversity. Areas that receive rainfall between 750 and 1125 mm are Drought-prone, whereas areas that receive less than 750 mm are Chronic drought-prone. Around 30 % of total geographical areas are identified as drought-prone areas.
Causes and Effects of Droughts:
Major causes of droughts in India are precipitation deficiency, drying out of surface water flow, deforestation and soil degradation, global warming, human acts such as deforestation, excessive construction, and unsustainable agricultural practices. The effects of drought are widespread and have devastating effects on the environment, society, and economy. The effects are generally categorized as environmental, economic, social, and geopolitical. Migration and relocation, hunger and famine, crop failure, poverty, and life loss are some of the disastrous effects of droughts.
Classification of Droughts:
- Meteorological drought: It is a situation of a prolonged period of inadequate rainfall.
- Agriculture drought: Also known as soil moisture drought; due to low soil moisture crop failures takes place.
- Hydrological drought: When the availability of water in different storages and reservoirs such as aquifers, dams, and lakes; falls below what the precipitation can replenish.
- Ecological drought: When the productivity of the natural ecosystem diminishes due to water shortage which causes ecological distress and ecosystem damage.
Government Steps to Control Floods and Droughts
Water is an essential resource for the survival of life and ecological balance, however, excess of it causes calamity and lack of it causes disaster. Excess water can cause floods and a deficit can cause drought. These are disastrous situations, caused by natural and anthropogenic factors. Floods and droughts are contrary situations though they have a common feature and their co-existence poses a potent threat, which cannot be eradicated but only managed. Some regions experience floods in one season and drought in another season.
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