Comprehensive evaluation of the changing drought c

Authors: T Thomas R K Jaiswal P C Nayak N C Ghosh

Publish Date: 2014/12/12

Volume: 127, Issue: 2, Pages: 163-182

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Abstract

The evaluation of meteorological and hydrological drought characteristics including the dry spell analysis for planning of supplemental irrigation has been carried out for Bearma basin in Bundelkhand region of Central India The Bundelkhand region has been under a spell of recurrent droughts In the last decade widespread droughts were felt during 2002–2003 and 2007–2008 The drought frequency varies between 1 in 3 years in Rehli and Deori and 1 in 5 years in Hatta Rehli and Deori blocks falling in Sagar district have been identified to be drought prone The meteorological drought characteristics evaluated by standardized precipitation index - SPI indicated that drought severity has increased greatly with the drought intensity varying between −122 in Deori and −097 in Rehli The streamflow drought characteristics have been evaluated using streamflow Drought Index SDI whereas the groundwater drought characteristics evaluated by groundwater Drought Index GDI The maximum groundwater drought intensity is observed in Rehli −044 Two critical dry spells CDS of 14–18 days invariably occur during the principal rainy months of July and August for which provision of lifesaving supplementary irrigation is essential for the rainfed agriculture A drought management plan DMP has been developed based on basin relevant drought indicators and drought triggers designed and fined tuned to actual drought conditions in the basin Based on the supply and demand scenario during droughts an appropriate drought response plan linked to prevailing drought levels has been developed to effectively manage the scarce water resources during persistent drought scenario Results of the study are quite promising and the concept of DMP can be replicated to other basins in the region taking into account the basin relevant indicators as necessary

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