Current Affairs · · Prelims · Geography

Drought in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh highlights monsoon vulnerability

Severe rainfall deficits during the 2026 southwest monsoon led Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh to declare widespread drought. Crop damage, water shortages and rural distress have raised demands for timely relief. The crisis highlights scientific drought assessment, Central assistance and long-term water conservation.

Event date:

REq1
  1. Context1 / 5
    • Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh declared widespread drought following deficient rainfall during the 2026 southwest monsoon.
    • Karnataka: Rainfall from June to September was 35% below normal.
    • Andhra Pradesh: Rainfall from June to August was 53.4% below normal. This covers a different period from Karnataka's figure.
    • Crop damage, inadequate water and pressure on rural livelihoods have increased the need for timely assessments and relief.
    • The debate centres on how scientific drought declarations should lead to prompt assistance and stronger long-term water security.
  2. Key highlights2 / 5

    The two rainfall deficits cover different months, so they cannot be compared as equivalent full-season figures.

    IndicatorKarnatakaAndhra Pradesh
    Rainfall deficit35%53.4%
    Assessment periodJune–September 2026June–August 2026
    Drought-declared units217 of 240 taluks388 of 688 mandals
    Main impactsCrop losses; water and fodder stressCrop damage; water scarcity; rural distress
    • Andhra Pradesh: Of 388 declared mandals, 283 were severely and 105 moderately affected; 283 + 105 = 388.
    • Karnataka: The State reportedly requested about ₹11,000 crore in Central drought assistance. This was a demand, not an approved payment.
    • Comparison caution: Taluks and mandals differ in their administrative scale; the unit counts do not directly compare affected land area or population.
  3. Key concepts3 / 5

    Four types of drought

    1. Meteorological drought

    Rainfall stays substantially below normal over a prolonged period.

    2. Agricultural drought

    Soil moisture becomes inadequate for normal crop growth.

    3. Hydrological drought

    Rivers, reservoirs or groundwater have unusually low water availability.

    4. Socioeconomic drought

    Water shortages disrupt livelihoods, production and essential supplies.

    Groundwater stress

    • In the 2025 national groundwater assessment, 730 of 6,762 units (about 10.8%) were classed as over-exploited.
    • Over-exploitation means annual extraction exceeds the groundwater that can be replenished.

    Prelims distinction: A rainfall deficit alone does not prove agricultural drought. Crop health, soil moisture and water availability also matter.

  4. Note4 / 5

    Drought assessment and disaster relief

    Scientific assessment

    • Manual for Drought Management, 2016: Recommends looking at rainfall, sowing or crop conditions, vegetation, soil moisture and water levels, followed by field checks.
    • National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System (NADAMS): Combines satellite-based vegetation monitoring with rainfall and field information to assess agricultural drought.
    • State governments declare drought in affected administrative units using the relevant assessments.

    Disaster relief funds

    FundMain role
    State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF)States' primary fund for immediate relief in notified disasters.
    National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF)Supplementary Central assistance for disasters of severe nature, subject to prescribed conditions.

    How supplementary Central assistance is assessed

    1. The State assesses damage and requests assistance.
    2. An Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT) examines the situation.
    3. A sub-committee of the National Executive Committee (NEC) reviews its findings.
    4. The High-Level Committee (HLC) determines admissible National Fund assistance.

    Legal basis: The SDRF is constituted under Section 48(1)(a) and the NDRF under Section 46 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005.

  5. Note5 / 5

    Governance concerns and suggested measures

    Concerns

    • Delayed relief: Long appraisal and approval processes can deepen rural distress.
    • Unequal access: Tenant farmers, sharecroppers and agricultural labourers may struggle to benefit from relief.
    • Water-intensive cropping: Paddy and sugarcane can increase stress in water-scarce areas.
    • Groundwater pressure: Excessive pumping weakens resilience to future dry spells.

    Suggested measures — not newly announced government decisions

    • Faster assistance: Complete verification, decisions and fund releases within clear timelines.
    • Better early warning: Combine rainfall forecasts, satellite crop observations and groundwater measurements.
    • Livelihood protection: Improve crop insurance under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) and employment support under the current VB–G RAM G rural employment framework (in force from 1 July 2026).
    • Water conservation: Restore watersheds and encourage rainwater harvesting and local groundwater management.
    • Resilient crops: Support millets, pulses, suitable drought-tolerant crops and efficient irrigation.

    Final takeaway: Drought resilience requires timely relief and long-term changes in farming and water management.

Sources

Syllabus

PaperSubjectSub-topic
PrelimsGeographySouthwest monsoon, rainfall variability, types of drought and groundwater stress
PrelimsEnvironmentAgricultural drought, conservation and drought monitoring
PrelimsEconomyDisaster relief funds and rural livelihood support
GS1GeographyIndian monsoon variability; distribution of water resources and geographical factors affecting agriculture
GS3EnvironmentDisaster management; drought assessment, relief, water conservation and adaptation
GS3EconomyAgriculture, irrigation, crop insurance and rural economic resilience

Topics

Agriculture and EnvironmentClimate ChangePublic Finance

Practice questions

  1. Consider the following statements regarding drought: 1. Meteorological drought is associated with prolonged rainfall deficiency. 2. Agricultural drought may occur when soil moisture is inadequate for crop growth. 3. Hydrological drought refers exclusively to a decline in atmospheric humidity. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. 1 and 2 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
    Show answer

    Answer: A. Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because hydrological drought concerns reduced surface-water and groundwater availability, not atmospheric humidity alone.

    Difficulty: easy · statement

  2. With reference to disaster management funds in India, consider the following statements: 1. The SDRF is the primary fund available to State governments for relief from notified disasters. 2. The NDRF provides supplementary assistance for disasters of severe nature. 3. The SDRF is constituted under the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 1 and 2 only
    3. 2 and 3 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
    Show answer

    Answer: B. Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect because Section 48(1)(a) of the Disaster Management Act, 2005, provides for the SDRF; Section 46 provides for the NDRF.

    Difficulty: medium · statement

  3. Consider the following statements about drought assessment in India: 1. The National Agricultural Drought Assessment and Monitoring System uses remote-sensing information. 2. The Manual for Drought Management, 2016, considers agricultural and hydrological indicators. 3. A rainfall deficit alone necessarily establishes severe drought throughout an entire State. Which of the statements given above are correct?

    1. 1 and 3 only
    2. 2 and 3 only
    3. 1 and 2 only
    4. 1, 2 and 3
    Show answer

    Answer: C. Statements 1 and 2 are correct: satellite observations, crop and water indicators all inform assessment. Statement 3 is incorrect because local severity also depends on soil moisture, vegetation, water availability and field checks.

    Difficulty: medium · statement

Mains practice

Answer-writing practice on this article. Attempt it first, then open the hints.

  1. GS1 · 150 words

    Explain how southwest monsoon variability contributes to drought conditions in India. Discuss its effects on agriculture and water security.

    Show hints
    1. Explain how uneven seasonal rainfall and long dry spells create meteorological drought in India.
    2. Relate rainfall deficits to low soil moisture, crop stress and reduced sowing during the kharif season.
    3. Describe how low runoff and groundwater recharge affect reservoirs, irrigation and drinking-water availability.
    4. Use the different Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh rainfall periods as examples without treating them as directly comparable.
    5. Conclude with forecasting, water harvesting and diversified, drought-resilient cropping.
  2. GS3 · 250 words

    Examine India's drought assessment and disaster relief framework. Suggest measures to improve drought resilience and timely assistance to affected communities.

    Show hints
    1. Explain the Manual for Drought Management, 2016, and the need for rainfall, crop, soil-moisture and hydrological indicators.
    2. Describe how satellite observations under NADAMS and field checks improve drought assessment.
    3. Distinguish State Disaster Response Fund relief from supplementary National Disaster Response Fund assistance and the IMCT review process.
    4. Assess delays, exclusions of tenant farmers and the pressure created by groundwater over-extraction and water-intensive crops.
    5. Suggest faster approvals, crop insurance, employment support under the current rural employment law, watershed restoration and efficient irrigation.