Meteorological and Hydrological Aspects of Drought in Central India

Abstract

Central part of India is facing the problems of recurrent droughts which are unpredictable phenomena both in their occurrence and duration; hence prevision and preparation against droughts are key elements for minimizing their impact. The present paper examines the meteorological, hydrological and agricultural aspects of drought in Chhindwara district of Madhya Pradesh located in central part of India. Assessment of meteorological and hydrological drought situation has been carried out through rainfall analysis and stream flow analysis using flow duration curve technique respectively. The study is further aimed at planning of life saving supplementary irrigation requirement for rain fed crops to reduce water stress during critical dry spells. In Chhindwara district drought frequency was observed very high, one out of every four to five year was observed as a drought year and in some years deficiency in annual rainfall is observed up to 65%. The years 2000 and 2001 were severe meteorological drought years as most of the blocks of the district were under drought. Major part of the district has been found as a drought prone area where the probability of occurrence of rainfall equivalent to 75% of normal annual rainfall was less than 80%. The mean date of onset of effective monsoon (EMO) in Chhindwara district varies from 13th June to 21st June and the date of withdrawal of EMO varies from 19th September to 1st October. On an average two critical dry spells (CDS) were observed during the monsoon season with duration of 12 to 17 and 13 to 27 days. The maximum crop water requirement has been observed for rice and sugarcane during two CDS in the district. Low flow analysis has been carried out for the stream flow data of Hirankheri G/D site on Pench river. The maximum 75% dependable flow has been observed in August whereas the minimum 75% dependable flow has been observed in May. It is seen that the severity of low flow varies from 0.48 to 46.49 MCM and duration of low flow epoch ranges from 10 to 39 days. The year 1991 experienced maximum five events of low flows with total severity of 58.41 MCM and total duration of 102 days. The maximum severity with 46.49 MCM for 12 days duration has been observed in 1997. Therefore it can be concluded that 1991 and 1997 are years of deficit runoff volume indicating severe hydrological drought in the region.