Essay on Droughts | Causes & Impacts of Drought

Drought is one of the most devastating condition. It brings famine, poverty and other problems for people. Read the following essay on topic drought. The essay explains the causes, impacts  and ways how to deal with drought. The essay is quite helpful for children and students in their preparation for exams

Essay on Droughts | Causes, Impacts & Ways how to deal with Drought

Drought, a condition in which certain regions of the country face scarcity of water due to low or no rainfall, has caused a number of problems in India. It is common for many parts of the country to be hit by drought every year, while others face this condition occasionally. Droughts are caused by a variety of factors, including deforestation, climate change and insufficient surface water. There is a severe impact on the lives of the people living in the affected areas, as well as on the general health of the environment.

Drought Prone Areas in India

Each year, drought affects many regions of the country. There are around 12% of people living in the country who inhabit an area that is nearly one-sixth drought-prone.

It is estimated that eleven districts in Rajasthan are affected by drought. Rajasthan is one of the states most prone to drought in the country. In these areas, rainfall is scarce or nonexistent, and groundwater levels are low. In Andhra Pradesh, too, drought is a common phenomenon. Almost every district here is hit by drought each year.

The following other regions of the country are prone to drought:

• Saurashtra and Kutch, Gujarat
• Coimbatore in Kerala
• Mirzapur Plateau and Palamu, Uttar Pradesh
• Kalahandi, Orissa
• Purulia, West Bengal
• Tirunelveli District, South of Vaigai River, Tamil Nadu

Possible Solutions for Drought

Rain Water Harvesting:  Using this technique, rainwater is collected and held in tanks or reservoirs to be used later. Every household should be required to collect rain water. Using water in this way is a smart way to use it.

Sea Water Desalination:  Desalination of sea water is necessary in order to use the expansive pools of water stored in the sea for irrigation and agricultural purposes. There must be major investments in this area by the government.

Recycle Water:  It is essential to purify and recycle waste water for reuse. There are multiple ways to do so. This can be achieved through small steps such as installing a rain barrel, collecting waste water from RO systems, using shower buckets, conserving water while washing vegetables, and creating a rain garden. The water collected by these means can be used to water the plants.

Cloud Seeding:  Cloud seeding is used to modify the weather. It increases precipitation. Iodine, silver iodide, and dry ice are all chemicals that are used to seed clouds. For areas susceptible to drought, the government should fund cloud seeding.

Plant More Trees:  Among the reasons for a lack of rainfall are deforestation and the construction of concrete structures. It is important to plant more trees. This simple step can alter the climatic conditions and lead to positive changes in the environment.

Water Usage:  Everyone should take responsibility for stopping the waste of water so that there is enough water available even during periods of low rainfall. Government must take steps to control the use of water.

Campaigns must be Run:  Government should run campaigns promoting rainwater harvesting, tree planting, and other measures that can be taken to fight drought. This is an effective way to raise awareness about the problem and control it.

Conclusion

However, the government’s drought relief plans are not sufficient to overcome the drastic problem of drought. It is essential to take strong measures to control this problem, and everyone should do their part to prevent it.

2. What is drought for class 10th?