Not AvailableArid region is the home of drought and recurring features and one of the biggest truths for the region.
Whole arid western Rajasthan was never free from drought. Drought is a result of failure of rainfall from the
normal levels that supports livelihood of a region. Drought impacts both human and livestock population due to
failure of crops, depletion in surface and ground water resources. Between 1901 and 2010 western Rajasthan
experienced 58 moderate to severe droughts. There were five occasions when drought occurred in successive
years: 1903-05, 1957-60, 1966-71, 1984-87 and 1998-2000. Droughts of 1918, 1987 and 2002 were most
severe, when rainfall departure from the normal was -81, -65 and -70 percent, respectively. The districts of
Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner and Ganganagar have the maximum probability of drought recurrence, even in
good rainfall years. Production of pearl millet, the major cereal crop of the region grown during kharif, is
reduced by 10-30% during mild drought, 35-60% during moderate drought and 75-90% during severe
droughts. Surface water availability also declined during drought years with the drought severity creating
drinking water problem. Fodder scarcity which is shorter by 20-30% of the demand during normal years,
touches 80-100% during severe droughts. Consequently, large-scale animal and human population migration
for food, fodder and water, as well as work takes place.Not Availabl
