Drought in the Indian economy is not merely a lack of rainfall but a multi-dimensional phenomenon that impacts agricultural productivity, groundwater levels, and macroeconomic stability. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare is the nodal agency for relief, while the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) oversees the long-term management framework.
Types of Drought Defined by IMD
- Meteorological Drought: Occurs when the seasonal rainfall over an area is less than 75% of its long-term average. It is further classified as “moderate” (26-50% deficiency) and “severe” (more than 50%).
- Hydrological Drought: Marked by a depletion of surface and sub-surface water resources (tanks, reservoirs, aquifers) due to prolonged meteorological drought.
- Agricultural Drought: Occurs when soil moisture and rainfall are inadequate during the growing season to support healthy crop maturity to harvest.
- Socio-Economic Drought: When the water shortage begins to affect the supply and demand of economic goods (e.g., power generation, food fodder, and drinking water).
Drought Vulnerability in India
Approximately 68% of India’s cultivable area is vulnerable to drought in varying degrees.
| Vulnerability Category | Geographic Areas |
| Chronically Drought Prone | Western Rajasthan, Kutch, and parts of Saurashtra. |
| Highly Drought Prone | Marathwada and Vidarbha (Maharashtra), Rayalaseema (Andhra Pradesh), and Bundelkhand (UP/MP). |
| Seasonally Drought Prone | Areas with high rainfall variability like Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and parts of Bihar. |
Policy Framework: The Manual for Drought Management (2016)
The 2016 Manual revised the criteria for drought declaration to make it more scientific and objective, removing the older “Annowari/Paisa-wari” system.
Mandatory Indicators for Declaration
- Rainfall: Percentage deviation from the Long Period Average (LPA).
- Vegetation: Use of the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to assess crop greenness via satellite.
- Hydrological: Water storage levels in reservoirs and groundwater status.
- Crop Situation: Area sown under different crops compared to the average.
Categories of Declaration
- Moderate: At least two parameters from the mandatory list must be met.
- Severe: Three or more parameters must be met; this triggers the eligibility for the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
Strategic Mitigation and Economic Measures
Management has shifted from a “reactive relief” approach to a “proactive risk management” strategy.
Integrated Watershed Management
- Implemented under the PMKSY-Watershed Development component to enhance soil moisture and check groundwater depletion.
- Focuses on the “Ridge-to-Valley” approach to reduce runoff and increase percolation.
Crop Diversification and Contingency Planning
- The Central Research Institute for Dryland Agriculture (CRIDA) prepares District Agriculture Contingency Plans for over 650 districts.
- Encouraging the shift from water-intensive crops (Sugarcane, Paddy) to climate-resilient crops like Nutri-cereals (Millets) and pulses in drought-prone regions.
Financial Safety Nets
- Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): Provides insurance cover against crop failure due to drought.
- National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) & SDRF: Financial assistance provided to states for input subsidies, fodder, and drinking water supply.
- MGNREGA: Provides a mandatory 100 days of work (extended to 150 days during notified drought) to prevent distress migration.
Role of Technology in Monitoring
- National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System (NADAMS): Managed by the Mahalanobis National Crop Forecast Centre (MNCFC), it uses remote sensing data to provide bimonthly drought bulletins.
- Bhuvan Portal: ISRO’s geo-spatial platform used for tracking water bodies and checking the efficacy of watershed structures.
Notable Institutional Bodies
- National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA): Issues guidelines for management, focusing on early warning systems and community resilience.
- Desert Development Programme (DDP): Specifically targets the hot deserts of Rajasthan and Gujarat and the cold deserts of Jammu & Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh.
- Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP): The earliest area-development programme (1973-74) aimed at restoring ecological balance by harnessing local resources.
Important Trivia for Prelims
- Long Period Average (LPA): The average rainfall recorded over a 50-year period (currently 1971-2020); used as the benchmark for deficiency calculations.
- Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI): A world-standard index used to characterize meteorological drought based on the probability of precipitation.
- El Niño Factor: Historically, about 60% of drought years in India have been associated with El Niño events in the Pacific Ocean.
- Pink Bollworm and Drought: In states like Maharashtra, drought conditions are often exacerbated by pest attacks, leading to double economic distress for farmers.
- Mihir Shah Committee: Highlighted that nearly 80% of India’s water is used by just three crops (Rice, Wheat, Sugarcane), recommending a shift toward “protective irrigation” in drought-prone areas.