Drought in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh: Causes and Relief

Subject: Paper 3: Agriculture

Context: Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh have reported significant rainfall deficits during the 2026 southwest monsoon, prompting drought declarations and requests for financial assistance. 

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Key Developments

• Karnataka: Recorded a rainfall deficit of nearly 35% during June–September. The State declared 217 out of 240 taluks drought-hit and sought ₹11,000 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
• Andhra Pradesh: Experienced a 53% rainfall deficit during June–August, with 388 out of 688 mandals declared drought-hit. Horticultural crops across nearly 18,000 hectares are at risk.
• Agricultural Impact: Crops such as red gram, maize, cotton, and sugarcane in Karnataka, as well as horticultural crops in Andhra Pradesh, have been damaged.
• Climate Link: A strengthening El Niño may have contributed to adverse monsoon conditions, but a specific attribution study is still pending.

About Drought

• Definition: Drought is a prolonged period of below-normal precipitation that results in water scarcity and adversely affects agriculture, ecosystems, and human activities.
• Types of Drought:
  • Meteorological Drought: A deficiency in rainfall relative to the long-term normal.
  • Agricultural Drought: Insufficient soil moisture to meet crop water requirements.
  • Hydrological Drought: Depletion of surface water and groundwater resources.
  • Socio-economic Drought: Water shortages affect the availability of goods and services, including food and drinking water.
• Major Causes: Monsoon failure, erratic rainfall, El Niño events, high temperatures, deforestation and unsustainable water use.
• Impacts: Crop failure, drinking water scarcity, livestock losses, farmer indebtedness, food insecurity, and land degradation.

Drought Declaration and Relief Framework

• Manual for Drought Management, 2009: This provides a framework for assessing drought using rainfall, agricultural, and hydrological indicators, supported by ground-level verification.
• Role of States: State governments assess drought conditions, declare affected areas and initiate relief measures.
• Role of the Center: An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) assesses the situation and helps determine the basis for central assistance.
• NDRF Assistance: Additional central relief may be provided after assessment under the applicable disaster relief framework.

Key Challenges in Drought Management

• Delayed Relief: Delays in central assistance can worsen farmers’ financial distress and indebtedness.
• Agricultural Vulnerability: Dependence on monsoon rainfall and water-intensive crops increases exposure to drought.
• Water Mismanagement: Inadequate water conservation and unsustainable groundwater extraction aggravate water scarcity.
• Limited Insurance Coverage: Gaps in agricultural insurance and access to relief can leave vulnerable farmers inadequately protected.

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Way Forward

• Timely Financial Assistance: The Center should expedite drought assessments and release eligible financial assistance after verification through the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), as applicable.
• Sustainable Water Management: Promote groundwater recharge, rainwater harvesting, and efficient irrigation, such as drip and sprinkler irrigation.
• Crop Diversification: Encourage less water-intensive crops, such as millets (jowar, bajra, and ragi), pulses (gram and pigeon pea), and oilseeds (mustard), that are suited to local rainfall patterns and aquifer conditions.
• Strengthen Agricultural Insurance: Expand agricultural insurance coverage and improve access to compensation for crop losses through schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
• Farmer-Centric Relief: Reduce distress among indebted farmers and, where appropriate, extend support to tenant farmers and sharecroppers beyond landownership-based eligibility.
• Climate Resilience: Develop long-term drought-preparedness measures through watershed development, drought-resistant crops and climate-resilient agriculture, particularly in drought-prone regions of South Asia.

News Source: The Hindu

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