5.1 FLOODS IN RAJASTHAN T - Information and Library...

Occurrences of Extreme Weather Events and its..... 200

5.1 FLOODS IN RAJASTHAN

The state of Rajasthan is popularly known as the Desert State of India is

largely water deficit yet there are incidents of flood in that state and there are flood

prone regions as well. The term "flood" relates to two events in Rajasthan firstly,

flooding of river and its catchment under the influence of excessive rainfall depending

on the topography of the regions through which the rivers flows. The second event is

related to the cloudburst that might happen in a specific area.

The floods in rivers mostly occur either due to very heavy rainfall for a few

days concentrated in a specific catchment or due to the obstructions that are caused

either because of human interference by bridges or embankments that restrict the

flow of the river or natural choking of river bed. Other than these the flooding in

urban areas occurs usually because lack of proper planning, choking of damage

systems and unplanned growth of the settlements during monsoons.

It is seen that most of the floods in India occur during the south-west

monsoon season. The State Water Resource Plan enlists 14 river basins in the state

along with an „outside basin‟ which includes the areas not covered under any river

basin. There are 59 sub-basins of these 14 main basins.

FLOOD PRONE REGIONS OF RAJASTHAN

The flood prone regions in the state lie in of Ajmer, Alwar, Baran, Barmer,

Bharatpur, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Ganganagar, Jaipur, Jalore, Jhalawar, Jodhpur, Kota,

Nagaur, Pali, Sirohi and Udaipur districts. These regions spread across the Basins

and Sub-Basins of the rivers Banas, Banganga, Chambal, Ghaggar, Luni, Mahi,


Sabi, Shekhawati, Sukli and West Banas. Flood prone districts and areas in the State

as listed in the Flood Manual of Rajasthan are as follows:

1. River Banas: This River floods at Uniara and Khasoli at the Bundi district.

The flooding in Udaipur City region is because of River Banas.

2. River Bandi: This River flows in the Sub-Basin of Luni River and brings

floods to Pandiv and Jadwal regions in Sirohi district and Siynna and Bagra

of Jalore district.

3. River Bundh Hemawas: the flooding at Pali District‟s Pali city, Kharchi and

Gurwara is done by River Bundh Hemawas flowing in the Sub-Basin of

River Luni.

4. River Banganga: River Banganga floods the Kaman, Pahi, Deeg, Bayana,

Roopwas and Bharatpur City of the Bharatpur District.

5. River Berach: the flooding at the Chittorgarh city and Sambhurpura of the

Chittorgarh District happens due to the action of River Berach which flows

in the Sub-Basin of River Banas.

6. River Chambal: Kathun and Kota city get flooded due to the River Chambal

swelling in this region.

7. River Ghaggar: River Ghaggar floods the regions of Pilibangan, Suratgarh,

Jetsar and Srivijaynagar of SriGanganagar district and some region of

Hanumangarh town as well.

8. River Jawai: River Jawai flows in the Luni‟s Sub-Basin and floods the Ahore

and Jalore city regions of Jalore district.


9. River Jojri: The flooding at Jodhpur District‟s Benar, Barliya and

Kalyanpura is done by River Jojri‟s action in the Sub-Basin of River Luni.

10. River Kalisindh: River Kalisindh flows in the Sub-Basin of River Chambal.

This river floods in Kota district at Khajuri and Sangod and in Jhalawar

district at Jhalawar City and Richwa.

11. River Luni: The River Luni creates flooding in the Ajmer city; Barmer

District‟s Balotra and Sindri, Gudha; Jodhpur District‟s Bilara, Kakelav,

Kankani and Dudiya; and Jalore District‟s Chitalwana and Bhawatra.

12. River Mashi: The Bichun region of Jaipur district gets flood affected due to

the action of River Mashi, which flows in the Sub-Basin of River Banas.

13. River Mej: The tributary of River Chambal, River Mej floods the areas of

Bundi City.

14. River Mehdha: River Mehdha which flows in the Sub-Basin of River

Shekhawati floods at Kuchaman of Nagaur District.

15. River Morel: The flooding in Sanganer Region of Jaipur district is because of

River Morel, which flows in Sub-Basin of River Banas.

16. River Parwan: River Parwan, a tributary of river Chambal brings floods in

Manohar Thana of Jhalawar district.

17. River Parwati: It is a tributary of River Chambal, which brings floods at

Chhabra, Parlee and Keralahr of Jhalawar district. The River also floods in

the Baran City of Baran district.


18. River Sabi: River Sabi floods in the Kotkasim, Tapukara and Patiabad

regions of Alwar district.

19. River Sagi: Nimbawas and Jaswantpura of the Jalore district get flooded due

to River Sagi which flows in the Sub-Basin of River Luni.

20. River Som: Chiliwod and Jhadol region of Udaipur district experience

flooding due to River Som, which flows in the Sub-Basin of River Mahi.

21. River Sukli: The River Sukli floods at Karaunti of Sirohi district.

22. River Sukri: This river flowing in the Sub-Basin of the Luni river floods in

the Rani and Chanod regions of Pali District; and Bhavrani, Rama and

Debawas of Jalore district.

23. River West Banas: The Abu Road town gets flooded due to river west Banas

in the Sirohi district.


5.2 HISTORY OF FLOODS IN RAJASTHAN

In the desert state of Rajasthan there have been instances when the state has

had excess average annual rainfall in a particular year and that year is categorized as

a flood year. The following chapter mentions the flood years that have been observed

in the 30 years ranging from 1980 and 2009. The degree of effectiveness of flood

depends on the amount of excess of rainfall. If the excess of rainfall is 25 to 50

percent above the average rainfall of a specific region then it is identified as Moderate

Flood. Severe Flood is the situation when the rainfall is more than 50 percent in a

region. There have been multiple flood years in past 30 years ranging from 1980 and

2009 in all the districts of Rajasthan.

This categorization is done on the basis of the average annual rainfall received

at that centre as compared to the average rainfall of the observed 30 years. The

percentage of departure of average annual rainfall was compared from the average

rainfall received during 1980 and 2009. The calculations have been tabulated in

Table – 10. Based on this percentage each year district wise was categorized as

„Moderate Flood‟ and „Severe Flood‟ years.

Table – 10: Categorization of Floods in Rajasthan (1980-2009)

Year Average Annual

Rainfall

Departure from

Average Rainfall

Percentage

of Departure

Category

of Flood

AJMER

1983 724.02 314.96 77.00 Severe Flood

1990 538.61 129.55 31.67 Moderate Flood

1994 600.15 191.09 46.71 Moderate Flood

1996 700.55 291.49 71.26 Severe Flood

1997 679.45 270.39 66.10 Severe Flood


Year Average Annual

Rainfall

Departure from

Average Rainfall

Percentage

of Departure

Category

of Flood

ALWAR

1983 932.34 356.58 61.93 Severe Flood

1985 758.36 182.61 31.72 Moderate Flood

1995 1029.46 453.71 78.80 Severe Flood

1996 1084.70 508.95 88.40 Severe Flood

2003 806.62 230.87 40.10 Moderate Flood

2008 927.41 351.66 61.08 Severe Flood

BANSWARA

1984 1097.54 302.30 38.01 Moderate Flood

1994 1160.75 365.51 45.96 Moderate Flood

2004 1067.67 272.42 34.26 Moderate Flood

2006 1818.13 1022.89 128.63 Severe Flood

2007 1289.60 494.36 62.16 Severe Flood

BARAN

1991 969.88 213.50 28.23 Moderate Flood

1996 1095.68 339.30 44.86 Moderate Flood

1997 1021.04 264.67 34.99 Moderate Flood

BARMER

1988 517.69 272.95 111.53 Severe Flood

1990 501.98 257.24 105.11 Severe Flood

1992 330.93 86.19 35.22 Moderate Flood

1994 336.60 91.86 37.53 Moderate Flood

2003 469.56 224.81 91.86 Severe Flood

2006 600.00 355.26 145.16 Severe Flood

BHARATPUR

1982 678.82 143.44 26.79 Moderate Flood

1983 802.59 267.21 49.91 Moderate Flood

1995 919.73 384.35 71.79 Severe Flood

1996 906.96 371.58 69.40 Severe Flood

2003 758.97 223.59 41.76 Moderate Flood

2008 706.14 170.75 31.89 Moderate Flood


Year Average Annual

Rainfall

Departure from

Average Rainfall

Percentage

of Departure

Category

of Flood

BHILWARA

1982 751.72 239.07 46.63 Moderate Flood

1994 695.88 183.23 35.74 Moderate Flood

1996 717.61 204.96 39.98 Moderate Flood

2006 729.94 217.29 42.38 Moderate Flood

BIKANER

1982 367.75 133.80 57.19 Severe Flood

1983 513.14 279.19 119.34 Severe Flood

1992 322.67 88.72 37.92 Moderate Flood

1996 297.33 63.39 27.10 Moderate Flood

1997 367.63 133.68 57.14 Severe Flood

2003 299.51 65.57 28.03 Moderate Flood

2005 295.63 61.68 26.36 Moderate Flood

2008 350.63 116.68 49.87 Moderate Flood

BUNDI

1982 721.92 163.26 29.22 Moderate Flood

1994 845.50 286.85 51.35 Severe Flood

1996 772.94 214.29 38.36 Moderate Flood

2001 813.28 254.63 45.58 Moderate Flood

CHITTORGARH

1983 774.55 185.73 31.54 Moderate Flood

1994 800.87 212.05 36.01 Moderate Flood

1996 777.90 189.08 32.11 Moderate Flood

2004 831.63 242.81 41.24 Moderate Flood

2006 976.97 388.15 65.92 Severe Flood

CHURU

1982 443.67 99.93 29.07 Moderate Flood

1983 586.68 242.93 70.67 Severe Flood

1988 514.74 171.00 49.75 Moderate Flood

1992 449.81 106.07 30.86 Moderate Flood

1997 522.38 178.63 51.97 Severe Flood

2008 506.00 162.26 47.20 Moderate Flood


Year Average Annual

Rainfall

Departure from

Average Rainfall

Percentage

of Departure

Category

of Flood

DAUSA

1981 927.93 316.88 51.86 Severe Flood

1983 820.05 208.99 34.20 Moderate Flood

1992 818.05 206.99 33.87 Moderate Flood

1995 1248.40 637.34 104.30 Severe Flood

1996 1607.00 995.94 162.99 Severe Flood

2008 804.33 193.28 31.63 Moderate Flood

DHOLPUR

1992 695.78 164.33 30.92 Moderate Flood

1995 716.83 185.38 34.88 Moderate Flood

1996 796.58 265.13 49.89 Moderate Flood

2008 964.98 433.52 81.57 Severe Flood

DUNGARPUR

1984 893.72 239.13 36.53 Moderate Flood

1990 838.54 183.96 28.10 Moderate Flood

1994 1081.03 426.45 65.15 Severe Flood

2006 1365.18 710.60 108.56 Severe Flood

GANGANAGAR

1982 288.58 123.73 75.05 Severe Flood

1983 369.05 204.20 123.87 Severe Flood

1984 232.90 68.04 41.28 Moderate Flood

1985 233.27 68.42 41.51 Moderate Flood

1996 689.79 524.94 318.43 Severe Flood

2003 259.39 94.54 57.35 Severe Flood

2006 209.67 44.82 27.19 Moderate Flood

2007 329.22 164.37 99.71 Severe Flood

2008 310.33 145.48 88.25 Severe Flood


Year Average Annual

Rainfall

Departure from

Average Rainfall

Percentage

of Departure

Category

of Flood

HANUMANGARH

1982 371.81 75.41 25.44 Moderate Flood

1983 495.15 198.74 67.05 Severe Flood

1994 381.30 84.89 28.64 Moderate Flood

1995 439.40 142.99 48.24 Moderate Flood

1997 463.86 167.45 56.49 Severe Flood

1998 391.57 95.17 32.11 Moderate Flood

2007 430.86 134.45 45.36 Moderate Flood

2008 388.71 92.31 31.14 Moderate Flood

JAIPUR

1981 772.89 339.65 78.39 Severe Flood

1983 813.36 380.12 87.74 Severe Flood

2003 621.17 187.92 43.38 Moderate Flood

2004 562.03 128.78 29.73 Moderate Flood

2008 680.54 247.29 57.08 Severe Flood

JAISALMER

1983 260.33 89.21 52.14 Severe Flood

1992 230.19 59.07 34.52 Moderate Flood

1994 244.19 73.07 42.70 Moderate Flood

1996 226.97 55.86 32.64 Moderate Flood

1998 256.01 84.90 49.62 Moderate Flood

1999 269.13 98.01 57.28 Severe Flood

2006 275.47 104.35 60.98 Severe Flood

2007 255.07 83.95 49.06 Moderate Flood

2008 224.42 53.30 31.15 Moderate Flood

JALORE

1983 722.20 392.08 118.77 Severe Flood

1990 603.63 273.51 82.85 Severe Flood

1992 605.50 275.38 83.42 Severe Flood

1994 422.94 92.82 28.12 Moderate Flood

1997 506.48 176.36 53.42 Severe Flood

2003 675.64 345.53 104.67 Severe Flood

2006 742.47 412.35 124.91 Severe Flood


Year Average Annual

Rainfall

Departure from

Average Rainfall

Percentage

of Departure

Category

of Flood

JHALAWAR

1982 990.04 227.85 29.89 Moderate Flood

1985 1127.26 365.07 47.90 Moderate Flood

1999 986.90 224.71 29.48 Moderate Flood

2006 1315.85 553.66 72.64 Severe Flood

JHUNJHUNU

1983 546.38 125.76 29.90 Moderate Flood

1988 625.76 205.14 48.77 Moderate Flood

1995 598.63 178.00 42.32 Moderate Flood

1996 713.38 292.75 69.60 Severe Flood

1997 624.13 203.50 48.38 Moderate Flood

JODHPUR

1982 345.43 107.81 45.37 Moderate Flood

1983 445.06 207.44 87.30 Severe Flood

1990 350.01 112.38 47.29 Moderate Flood

1994 299.84 62.22 26.18 Moderate Flood

1996 311.26 73.63 30.99 Moderate Flood

2001 326.38 88.76 37.35 Moderate Flood

KARAULI

1982 813.48 277.52 51.78 Severe Flood

1983 869.40 333.44 62.21 Severe Flood

1998 816.03 280.07 52.26 Severe Flood

2003 739.50 203.54 37.98 Moderate Flood

2008 717.24 181.28 33.82 Moderate Flood

KOTA

1981 714.91 191.33 36.54 Moderate Flood

1982 792.08 268.50 51.28 Severe Flood


Year Average Annual

Rainfall

Departure from

Average Rainfall

Percentage

of Departure

Category

of Flood

1983 693.18 169.60 32.39 Moderate Flood

1984 679.28 155.70 29.74 Moderate Flood

1986 747.52 223.94 42.77 Moderate Flood

2000 660.48 136.91 26.15 Moderate Flood

2001 893.74 370.16 70.70 Severe Flood

2003 702.03 178.46 34.08 Moderate Flood

2004 689.15 165.58 31.62 Moderate Flood

2006 818.55 294.97 56.34 Severe Flood

2007 660.33 136.75 26.12 Moderate Flood

2008 692.81 169.23 32.32 Moderate Flood

NAGAUR

1983 609.13 287.12 89.17 Severe Flood

1995 403.80 81.79 25.40 Moderate Flood

1996 612.45 290.44 90.20 Severe Flood

1997 502.07 180.06 55.92 Severe Flood

2003 469.57 147.56 45.83 Moderate Flood

2008 413.86 91.85 28.53 Moderate Flood

PALI

1980 427.19 156.75 57.96 Severe Flood

1981 776.38 505.94 187.08 Severe Flood

1982 352.73 82.29 30.43 Moderate Flood

1983 705.47 435.03 160.86 Severe Flood

2001 461.37 190.93 70.60 Severe Flood

2003 496.32 225.88 83.52 Severe Flood

2005 347.86 77.42 28.63 Moderate Flood

2006 622.30 351.86 130.11 Severe Flood

2007 500.28 229.84 84.99 Severe Flood


Year Average Annual

Rainfall

Departure from

Average Rainfall

Percentage

of Departure

Category

of Flood

PRATAPGARH

1990 1125.00 370.95 49.19 Moderate Flood

1996 970.00 215.95 28.64 Moderate Flood

2004 1052.50 298.45 39.58 Moderate Flood

2006 1516.00 761.95 101.05 Severe Flood

RAJSAMAND

1982 699.00 188.61 36.96 Moderate Flood

1990 757.50 247.11 48.42 Moderate Flood

1992 704.29 193.90 37.99 Moderate Flood

1994 675.61 165.22 32.37 Moderate Flood

2005 698.18 187.80 36.79 Moderate Flood

2006 761.91 251.52 49.28 Moderate Flood

2009 776.45 266.07 52.13 Severe Flood

SAWAI MADHOPUR

1983 1091.04 565.68 107.67 Severe Flood

1995 863.46 338.09 64.35 Severe Flood

1996 728.82 203.46 38.73 Moderate Flood

2008 701.23 175.86 33.47 Moderate Flood

SIKAR

1983 667.06 266.45 66.51 Severe Flood

1988 529.18 128.57 32.09 Moderate Flood

1992 501.09 100.48 25.08 Moderate Flood

1995 543.88 143.27 35.76 Moderate Flood

1996 665.00 264.39 66.00 Severe Flood

1997 502.78 102.17 25.50 Moderate Flood

2003 508.83 108.22 27.01 Moderate Flood

2008 552.22 151.61 37.85 Moderate Flood


Year Average Annual

Rainfall

Departure from

Average Rainfall

Percentage

of Departure

Category

of Flood

SIROHI

1980 572.55 133.97 30.55 Moderate Flood

1981 616.25 177.67 40.51 Moderate Flood

1982 585.42 146.84 33.48 Moderate Flood

1983 1033.59 595.01 135.67 Severe Flood

1984 699.35 260.77 59.46 Severe Flood

1985 593.00 154.42 35.21 Moderate Flood

1992 649.92 211.34 48.19 Moderate Flood

2003 735.45 296.87 67.69 Severe Flood

2005 666.89 228.31 52.06 Severe Flood

2006 1172.08 733.50 167.25 Severe Flood

2007 652.44 213.86 48.76 Moderate Flood

TONK

1981 611.32 195.92 47.16 Moderate Flood

1983 747.60 332.20 79.97 Severe Flood

1995 571.47 156.07 37.57 Moderate Flood

2003 534.80 119.40 28.74 Moderate Flood

UDAIPUR

1980 585.02 143.53 32.51 Moderate Flood

1981 633.12 191.64 43.41 Moderate Flood

1982 797.91 356.43 80.73 Severe Flood

1984 655.59 214.10 48.50 Moderate Flood

1985 591.66 150.18 34.02 Moderate Flood

2004 599.61 158.12 35.82 Moderate Flood

2005 631.92 190.43 43.14 Moderate Flood

2006 1119.79 678.31 153.64 Severe Flood

2007 598.76 157.28 35.62 Moderate Flood

2008 571.55 130.06 29.46 Moderate Flood

2009 579.73 138.25 31.31 Moderate Flood

Source: http://waterresources.rajasthan.gov.in/Daily_Rainfall_Data/Rainfall_Index.htm


Graph – 19 depicts the district wise frequency of „Moderate Flood‟ and

„Severe Flood‟ years in the state.

Graph - 19

History of floods in Rajasthan:

1. Ajmer

The Ajmer district has witnessed 3 severe and 2 moderate floods in the past

30 years. In the year 1983, 1996 and 1997 the rainfall was 76.9, 71.2 and 66.0 percent

respectively above the average causing severe floods. Year 1990 and 1994 had

rainfall 31.6 and 46.7 percent respectively above the normal causing moderate

flooding. It can be seen that there is no flooding in the district during 2000s and the

maximum number of floods came during 1990s.

2. Alwar

There have been 4 instances of severe floods in the Alwar district in the past

30 years and 2 instances of moderate floods. In the years 1983, 1995, 1996 and 2008

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Districts

District wise Frequency of Severe and Moderate Flood Years

in Rajasthan (1980-2009)

Severe Flood Years Moderate Flood Years


the percentage of rainfall was 61.9, 78.8, 88.3 and 61.0 percent respectively more

than the average making them severe flood years. 1985 and 2003 are moderate flood

years having rainfall 31.7 and 40.0 percent respectively more than the average. Here

1995 and 1996 are 2 consecutive severe rainfall years.

3. Banswara

Year 1984, 1994 and 2004 have been the years of moderate floods in the

Banswara district. During these years the rainfall has been 38.0, 45.9 and 34.2

percent respectively more than the district average of last 30 years ranging from

1980 to 2009. Severe flood was witnessed during 2006 and 2007 when the rain was

128.6 percent and 62.1 percent respectively. It can be seen that every 10th

year the

district has had the occurrence of moderate flood in the district.

4. Baran

The district had no instances of severe flooding during the observed years,

whereas, there are 3 occurrences of moderate floods. In 1991 the rainfall was 28.2

percent respectively above the average. Year 1996 and 1997 had consecutive

flooding for 2 years when the rainfall was 44.8 percent and 34.9 percent respectively

above the average.

5. Barmer

The desert district of Barmer has experienced flood situation for 6 years. The

flood occurred during alternate years from 1988 to 1994, i.e. 1988, 1990, 1992 and

1994 when the rainfall was above the average rainfall by 111.5, 105.1, 35.2 and 37.5

percent respectively. Year 2003 and 2006 experienced severe floods and the rainfall

exceeded 91.8 and 145.1percent respectively from the average rainfall mark.


6. Bharatpur

The Bharatpur district had consecutive moderate floods during 1982-1983

when the rainfall was 26.7 and 49.9 percent respectively above the average. The

year 2003 had 41.7 percent rainfall above the average and 2008 had 31.8 percent

above the average rainfall classifying these years as moderate flood years.

7. Bhilwara

The Bhilwara had 4 occurrences of moderate floods and no severe flood

year. Year 1982, 1994, 1996 and 2006 received rainfall 46.6, 35.7, 39.9 and 42.3

percent respectively above the average. Here the alternate years 1994 and 1996 were

classified as flood years.

8. Bikaner

In the year 1981, 1982 and 1997 received rainfall 57.1, 119.3 and 57.1 percent

respectively above the average. Hence, these years are classified as severe rainfall years.

The years 1992, 1996, 2003, 2005 and 2008 are moderate flood years where the rainfall

was 37.9, 27.0, 28.0, 26.3 and 49.8 percent respectively above the average. Here, 1981

and 1982; 1996 and 1997 are consecutive and 2003 and 2005 are alternate flood years.

9. Bundi

The only year which has been classified as severe flood year in the district is

1994 when the rainfall was 51.3 percent above the average. The years 1982, 1996

and 2001 have been classified as moderate drought years as the rainfall received in

these years has been 29.2, 38.3 and 45.5 percent respectively.

10. Chittorgarh

In 2006 the rainfall exceeded the average rainfall by 65.9 percent and hence

the year is classified as severe flood year of Chittorgarh district. Years 1983, 1994,


1996 and 2004 had rainfall 31.5, 36.0, 32.1 and 41.2 percent respectively above the

average. Here, 1994, 1995, 2004 and 2006 are alternate flood years.

11. Churu

Years 1983 and 1997 have been the 2 severe flood years in the district in the

observed 30 years when the rainfall was 70.6 and 51.9 percent respectively above

the average rainfall of the district. Moderate flood years were 1982, 1988, 1992 and

2008 as the annual rainfall received was 29.0, 49.7, 30.8 and 47.2 percent respectively

above the average. Here 1982 and 1983 were 2 consecutive flood years.

12. Dausa

There are 3 occurrences of both moderate and severe floods in the district.

Year 1981, 1995 and 1996 are severe flood years where the rainfall was 51.8, 104.3

and 162.9 percent respectively above the average. Years 1983, 1992 and 2008 had

rainfall of 34.2, 33.8 and 31.6 percent respectively above the average; hence, these 3

years are classified as moderate flood years.

13. Dholpur

Year 2008 is the only year of severe floods in the Dholpur district when the

annual average rainfall was 81.5 percent more than the average. The 1990 decade saw

3 moderate flood years in the district. Here, in 1992, 1995 and 1996 the average

annual rainfall was 30.9, 34.8 and 49.8 percent respectively above the average rainfall

of the district. Here 1995 and 1996 are 2 consecutive flood years in the district.

14. Dungarpur

The district had 2 each, moderate and severe flood years in the district. In

1984 and 1990 the annual average rainfall was 36.5 and 28.1 percent respectively

above the average hence these 2 years have been classified as moderate flood years.


Years 1994 and 2006 are the severe flood years where the average annual rainfall

was 65 percent and 108.5 percent respectively above the district average.

15. Ganganagar

In the Ganganagar district the years 1982, 1983, 1984 and 1985 and years

2006, 2007 and 2008 are consecutive flood years in the district. Years 1982, 1983,

1996, 2003, 2007 and 2008 are classified as severe flood years as the annual average

rainfall received in these years was 75.0, 123.8, 318.4, 57.3, 99.7 and 88.2 percent

respectively above the average rainfall of the year. The moderate flood years are

1984, 1985 and 2006 as the average annual rainfall was 41.2, 41.5 and 27.1 percent

respectively above the average rainfall of Ganganagar district.

16. Hanumangarh

There have been 6 occurrences of moderate and 2 of severe flooding in the

Hanumangarh district in the observed 30 years. It has been seen that there is

consecutive occurrence flood of years in the district, i.e. 1982 and 1983; 1994 and

1995; 1997 and 1998; 2007 and 2008. Here the years 1982, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2007

and 2008 are considered as moderate flood years as the annual average rainfall was

25.4, 28.6, 48.2, 32.1, 45.3 and 31.1 percent respectively above the average rainfall

of the district respectively. The years 1983 and 1997 were severe rainfall years with

rainfall exceeding the average by 67.0 and 56.4 percent respectively.

17. Jaipur

There have been 3 occurrences of severe and 2 moderate flood years in the

district in the observed time span. Year 1981 and 1983 saw alternate severe floods

along with 2008. Here the annual average rainfall was 78.3, 87.7 and 57.07 percent


respectively above the average rainfall of the district. Years 2003 and 2004

consecutively received rainfall 43.3 and 29.7 percent respectively above the average

hence these years are considered as moderate flood years.

18. Jaisalmer

There have been 3 severe and 6 moderate flood years in the Jaisalmer district

from 1980 to 2009. Years 1983, 1999 and 2006 received rainfall 52.1, 57.2 and 60.9

percent respectively above the average and therefore these years are considered as

severe flood years. Years 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 2007 and 2008 are the moderate

flood years as the rainfall was 34.5, 42.7, 32.6, 49.6, 49.0 and 31.1 percent

respectively above the average. Here, 1992, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2006, 2007 and

2008 are consecutive flood years.

19. Jalore

At Jalore district only the year 1994 is considered as moderate rainfall year

as the rainfall received was 28.1 percent above the average. Here, there are 6 severe

flood years i.e. 1983, 1990, 1992, 1997, 2003 and 2006 where the rainfall was 118.7,

82.85, 83.4, 53.4, 104.6 and 124.9 percent respectively above the average. Here,

1990, 1992 and 1994 are alternate flood years.

20. Jhalawar

The district has 2006 as only severe flood year as the rainfall exceeded the

average rainfall by 72.6 percent. The moderate flood years were 1982, 1985 and 1999

where the rainfall was 29.8, 47.8 and 29.4 percent respectively above the average.


21. Jhunjhunu

At Jhunjhunu district only 1996 have been classified as severe flood year

when the rainfall exceeded the average by 69.6 percent. Years 1983, 1988, 1995 and

1997 are moderate flood years with rainfall 29.8, 48.7, 42.3 and 48.3 percent

respectively above the average. It can be seen that 1995, 1996 and 1997 are

consecutive flood years in the district.

22. Jodhpur

At Jodhpur district too we have only one year as the severe flood year i.e.

1983 when it rained 87.2 percent above the district average. Year 1982, 1990, 1994,

1996 and 2001 received rainfall 45.3, 47.2, 26.1, 30.9 and 37.3 percent respectively

above the average and are hence classified as moderate rainfall years. It is also seen

that 1982 and 1983 are consecutive flood years.

23. Karauli

There are 3 severe and moderate flood years in the district during the observed

years. The years 1982, 1983 and 1998 received rainfall 51.7, 62.2 and 52.2 percent

respectively above the average and hence are classified as severe flood years. The

moderate flood years are 2003 and 2008 with rainfall exceeding the average by 37.9

and 33.8 percent respectively. Here 1982 and 1983 are consecutive flood years.

24. Kota

The Kota district had 3 occurrences of severe flood years during the observed

years in 1982, 2001 and 2006 when the rainfall exceeded the average rainfall of the

district by 51.2, 70.6 and 56.33 percent respectively. There are 9 years that are

classified as moderate flood years, they are 1981, 1983, 1984, 1986, 200, 2003,


2004, 2007 and 2008. Here the rainfall was 36.5, 32.3, 29.7, 42.7, 26.1, 34.0, 31.6,

26.1 and 32.3 percent respectively above the average. It can also be observed that

the flood years are in clusters from 1981 to 1986 and 2000 to 2008.

25. Nagaur

Nagaur district had 3 occurrences of each moderate and severe flood years.

Year 1983, 1996 and 1997 had rainfall 89.1, 90.1 and 55.9 percent respectively

above the average and are hence considered as severe flood years. Years 1995, 2003

and 2008 had rainfall 25.3, 45.8 and 28.5 percent respectively above the average and

are categorized as moderate flood years. It is noted that 1995 to 1997 are 3

consecutive flood years in the district.

26. Pali

In the Pali district the flood years are concentrated between 1980 to 1983 and

2001 to 2007 only and before and after this period there are no flood years. Year 1980,

1981, 1983, 2001, 2003, 2006 and 2007 are severe flood years with rainfall exceeding

the average by 57.9, 187.0, 160.8, 70.5, 83.5, 130.1 and 84.9 percent respectively. The

moderate rainfall years are 1982 and 2005 with rainfall excess of 30.4 and 28.6.

27. Pratapgarh

The only occurrence of severe flood year in the district was during 2006

when the rainfall exceeded the average by 101.1 percent respectively. The moderate

flood years of the district during the observed years were 1990, 1996 and 2004 with

rainfall 49.1, 28.6 and 39.5 percent respectively above the average.


28. Rajsamand

There has been only 1 occurrence of severe flood in the district in 2009 when

the rainfall exceeded the average by 52.1 percent. There are 6 moderate flood years

in the district i.e. 1982, 1990, 1992, 1994, 2005 and 2006 when the percentage of

rainfall exceeded the average rainfall by 36.9, 48.4, 37.9, 32.3 36.7 and 49.2

respectively. Here it is observed that during 1990 and 1994 flood years were alternate

years and 2005 and 2006 are consecutive flood years.

29. Sawai Madhopur

There have been 2 instances of each severe and moderate flood years in the

district during the observed years, where 1995 and 1996 were consecutive flood years.

Year 1983 and 1995 were severe flood years when the rainfall was 107.6 and 64.3

percent respectively above the average. The years 1996 and 2008 were moderate flood

years when the rainfall exceeded the average by 38.7 and 33.4 percent respectively.

30. Sikar

The Sikar district had 2 occurrences of severe flood years during 1983 and

1996, during these years the rainfall was 66.5 and 65.9 percent respectively above

the average rainfall of the district. Years 1988, 1992, 1995, 1997, 2003 and 2008 are

the moderate flood years when the rainfall was 32.0, 25.0, 35.7, 25.5, 27.0 and 37.8

percent above the average respectively.

31. Sirohi

At the Sirohi district year 1980 to 1985 are continuous flood years. 2003 and

2005 are alternate and 2005 to 2007 are again consecutive flood years. Here, during

the observed time span there were 6 moderate and 5 severe flood years.


Year 1980, 1981, 1982, 1985, 1992 and 2007 received 30.5, 40.5, 33.4, 35.2,

48.1 and 48.7 percent respectively rainfall respectively above average and are

classified as moderate flood years whereas, 1983, 1984, 2003, 2005 and 2006 are

severe flood years with rainfall 135.6, 59.4, 67.6, 52.0 and 167.2 percent

respectively above the average.

32. Tonk

At the Tonk district only 1983 can be classified as severe flood year. Here

the rainfall was 79.9 percent above the district average. Year 1981, 1995 and 2003

are moderate flood years where the rainfall received was 47.1, 37.7 and 28.7 percent

above the average respectively.

33. Udaipur

The district had 2 severe and 9 moderate flood years in the observed 30

years. Years 1982 and 2006 were considered as severe flood years as they received

rainfall 80.7 and 153.6 percent respectively above the average. The years 1980,

1981, 1984, 1985, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008 and 2009 are moderate flood years as the

rainfall received was 32.5, 43.4, 48.4, 34.0, 35.8, 43.1, 35.6 29.4 and 31.3 percent

respectively. Here it is interesting to note that from 1980 to 1985 and 2004 to 2009

are consecutive flood years.

The description shows that the frequency of floods has at many districts

increased during the last decade. All the districts have witnessed heavy rainfall

leading to moderate and severe flood years except Baran and Bhilwara district which

have no severe flood year during the observed 30 years. The decadal frequency of

floods in Rajasthan has been depicted in Graph - 20.


Graph – 20

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Ajm

er

Alw

ar

Bara

n

Barm

er

Bansw

ara

Bhara

tpu

r

Bhil

wara

Bik

aner

Bu

ndi

Chit

torg

arh

Chu

ru

Dau

sa

Dholp

ur

Dungarp

ur

Ganganagar

Hanu

mangarh

Jaip

ur

Jais

alm

er

Jalo

re

Jhala

war

Jhunjh

unu

Jodhp

ur

Kara

uli

Kota

Nagau

r

Pali

Pra

tap

garh

Rajs

am

and

Saw

ai M

adhop

ur

Sik

ar

Sir

ohi

Tonk

Udaip

ur

No. of

Occ

ura

nce

s

Districts

District-wise Decadal Frequency of Floods in Rajasthan (1980-2009)

1980-1989

1990-1999

2000-2009


5.3 IMPACT OF FLOOD

In the Desert State of India i.e. Rajasthan flooding happens either due to

flooding of rivers due to excessive rainfall or due to cloudbursts. In many cases floods

occur due to human interference or lack of planning especially the urban floods.

The flood prone regions in the state lie in of Ajmer, Alwar, Baran, Barmer,

Bharatpur, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Ganganagar, Jaipur, Jalore, Jhalawar, Jodhpur, Kota,

Nagaur, Pali, Sirohi and Udaipur districts.

During the rural survey, the Sarkapaar Dhaani of the Kawas Village in the

Baaytu Block of Barmer district was covered to study flood impact. Figure – 4

shows the research scholar interviewing one of the families. This village had

witnessed floods during the monsoon season of 2006. These floods are believed to

be the worst floods to hit this desert region in over 300 years. Impact of floods was

suffered majorly by agriculture, livestock and humans.

Figure – 4 Surveyor interviewing a family at Sarkapaar

Dhaani of Kawas Village, Barmer


Impact on Water Resources: During the flood the Sarkapaar Dhaani was

under 15 to 20 feet water. This negatively affected all the sources of clean or

drinkable water in the area. All the tanka, wells etc. were contaminated.

Cultivation: The entire dhaani was submerged in water and hence adversely

affected the agricultural as the entire monsoon crop was damaged.

Livestock: According to an estimate approximately 75,000 cattle had

perished during these floods.

Socio – Economic Issues: The biggest threat after flood was curbing the spread

of diseases like Diarrhea, Dysentery, Malaria, skin infections, Jaundice, Typhoid and

Cholera. Another major problem was that the road, electricity and communication

network were totally damaged. Also the rotting carcasses of the thousands of animals

had created the fears of water-borne diseases. The incidents of snake bite had

increased as the floodwaters forced them and the other rodents on to surface.

The impact on land use was that the entire cultivated area had turned barren.

Natural vegetation was completely spoiled. New species of tree locally known as

Jauda tree has been introduced in the region due to floods. The entire region turned

in to a lake and hence land use categories could not be differentiated. There was a

large scale loss of life property and infra structure. The government authorities along

with NGOs and other agencies tried to handle disaster in a manner that the losses

can be minimized and the lives of the people could be saved.


5.4 FLOOD MANAGEMENT

In the previous topic we have seen that the state witnesses flood years and

there are regions which are flood prone in the state of Rajasthan. Hence it is crucial

that the state has a mechanism to reduce or prevent the detrimental effects of flood

waters. The Disaster Management and Relief Department of Government of Rajasthan

handle all the disasters in the state. The Flood Manual generated by Disaster

Management and Relief Department gives a complete description of the flood

response system of the state.

There are 14 river basins in the state which are further sub-divided into 59

sub-basins. The 14 major sub-basins are of the rivers- Shekhawati, Ruparail,

Banganga, Gambhiri, Parbati, Sabi, Banas, Chambal, Mahi, Sabarmati, Luni, West

Banas, Sukli, Other Nallas of Jalore and Areas of Western Rajasthan. A network of

Rain gauge stations, gauge discharge & meteorological observatories have been set-

up in these important river basin catchment areas to monitor any hydro-

meteorological event. The river-floods occur mostly due to silting of the river bed

due to which the capacity of rivers of containing water reduces significantly or due

to heavy rains in areas with poor drainage. In case of a silted bed the confluence

zone too gets congested and the waters tend to enter back into the tributary.

For effective flood management system the Disaster Management and Relief

Department works on multiple points so that both relief and rescue works can be

done effectively. The management relates to flood preparedness, flood forecasting

and warning, flood control and management, relief and rescue management,

assistance and rehabilitation of sufferers.


A Rashtriya Barh Ayog (National Flood Commission) was set up by

Government of India in 1976 to review the flood protection measures and to

formulate comprehensive approach to deal with flood situation in the country. The

National Water Policy 2002, states that each flood prone basin in the country must

have a master plan for its flood control and management. It also states that that

physical flood protection works like embankments and dykes and water storage

projects should be meticulously planned in the flood prone areas and even non-

structural measures such as effective flood forecasting and warning and flood

proofing should be promoted to minimize losses.

The floods in the flood prone regions are easier to control but events of

cloud-burst are difficult to handle. Flood Preparedness is therefore a necessary

component of flood management. It includes forecasting, warning, capacity building

of the locals to form relief groups, preparing an operational plan, stockpiling of

supplies and proper utilization of funds. Also as a part of long term planning, long

range policies should be implemented in the fields of public works and urban

planning. The mitigation efforts help in prevention to a large degree.

The mitigation efforts include:

1. A review of daily reports on weather forecast

2. Constitution of a weather watch group to review weekly the weather

condition during the monsoon season i.e. during June and September

3. All the dams are inspected before the advent of monsoons

4. Every year in the month of May the State Advisory Committee would conduct

a meeting with the various departments to review the preparatory action

taken by them. The state machinery shall be equipped to meet any calamity


5. Maintenance of the flood plain and not allowing any construction on it is

also very important as it helps to protect the environmental equilibrium of

the region and check the post flood destruction.

6. The Relief Department acts as a Nodal department in case of floods and it is

this department‟s responsibility to take preventive steps, Co-ordinate various

government/ non-government agencies, educate the masses and deal with all

the issues relating to the disaster. Also a list of important telephone numbers

also circulated to all concerned departments in the month of May every year

by the Relief Department.

7. Role and responsibilities of the various government departments like the

Meteorological Department, Local Bodies Department, Medical Department,

Police and Wireless Department, Irrigation Department, Fisheries Department,

Public Health and Engineering Department, Public Works Department, Power

Department, Animal Husbandry Department, Food Department, Relief

Department, Information and Public Relations Department and Department of

Information and Technology are well defined.

8. In the times of calamity these departments co-ordinate closely under the

Relief Department and perform all the functions like keeping weather

stations fully functional; identify vulnerable areas in each district and

formulate a plan of action to face the hazard; timely de-silting the drainage

system before rains; remove garbage, dead animals timely to prevent

diseases; to keep the medical mobile van and teams of doctors ready to go to

the affected areas with required medicines; to strictly enforce food and water

safety measures; to arrange sufficient food and other essential commodities

vulnerable areas and fodder and cattle feed; to quickly restore of water


supply in case of floods; to keep prepared the resources like boats, life

jackets, expert fishermen and swimmers; identify high level areas for

rehabilitation camps in case of heavy rains, flash floods; etc.

9. A State level flood memorandum is prepared by the Irrigation Department

every year and supplied to all concerned departments containing all the

required information.

10. A Disaster contingent plan is prepared at each district by an Executive

Engineer i.e. the nodal officer which contains information about the location

of dams, identification of flood prone areas, alternate routes, location and

quantity of different emergency materials, list of divers etc.

The Executive Engineer of the Irrigation Department, Rajasthan at Jaipur

acts as the nodal officer. There are several constraints in providing cent percent

protection from the complex phenomena of flood. A combination of both structural

and non-structural strategies must be combined so as to achieve effective protection.

The flood management plans should be socially and economically viable with some

scientific or technological/engineering backing.

The various structural measures for flood control followed can be

categorized as follows:-

1. Repair/restoration and strengthening of existing structures (bunds, regulating

and control structures and waste weirs) including repair/restoration

/installation of gates and communication systems.

2. Restoration of design capacity of channels and removal of encroachments.

3. Repair/restoration of village/town protection bunds, and construction of new

ring bunds.


4. Construction of river training works – revetments, spurs etc.

5. Construction of diversion structures (cross-regulators and channels)

6. Construction of auxiliary spillway and weirs and increasing the surplus

capacity of existing ones.

7. Construction of flood regulation anicuts.

8. Construction of cross regulators.

The various non-structural measures for flood control can be categorized as follows:

1. Flood plain zoning.

2. Flood estimation and forecasting.

3. Flood proofing.

4. Flood warning.

5. Flood fighting and operation plan (Disaster Management and Relief

Department, 2009).

The government also understands the importance regulating the flood plain

and the low-lying regions for protecting them from undesirable or unwise use. This

region should be construction free, have proper sewage systems and maybe utilized

for collection of storm water management. A map representing the past extent of

floodwaters, its depth and frequency in the last 20 years is also studied. Some of the

flood plains are acquired by the government on its development rights; this provides

long-term benefits of protection of natural resources and public use of the land along

with reduced floodplain losses.

The other measure to mitigate flood is through flood proofing. Flood proofing

is the use of permanent, contingent or emergency techniques to either prevent flood

waters from entering buildings or to minimize the damages from water that does get


in. Some of the techniques involve using water tight seals, closures or barriers, using

water resistant materials, and temporarily relocating the contents of a building.

Elevating a structure means raising it on fill, piers, or pilings so that it is above

expected flood levels (Disaster Management and Relief Department, 2009).

Structural measures such as dams, dikes, reservoirs, floodwalls, storm water

management etc can be used for Modifying flooding so that deliberate changes in

the volume of run-off, extent of area flooded, velocity and depth of flood waters and

even the location of flooding can be achieved. These structural processes come

under floodplain management strategy. A regular maintenance of these flood control

structures is therefore one of the most important considerations.

Dams and Reservoirs should be constructed with such a plan that during the

event of flood they can help to limit the speed of the water and also limit the flooded

area. Hence they must be kept properly and reservoir sedimentation should be

cleared regularly.

Dikes, Levees and Flood walls should be of masonry or steel and efficiently

designed and regularly maintained. The areas around them should have regulated

development as well.

Channel Alterations by deepening or widening or straightening the channel,

removing debris, raising or enlarging bridges and culverts can be done to increase

the flow-carrying capacity of a stream which as a result reduces the height of a flood.

Stormwater Management is the removal of water that falls directly onto

properties, as opposed to flood water, that flows onto the property, from upstream


sources or an ocean surge (Disaster Management and Relief Department, 2009). To

manage Storm-water natural drainage systems may be used along with the concrete

lined channels so that the surface run-off is channelized into them so that the urban

structures are protected against the localized flooding. Their regular expansion and

upkeep is required as with the expansion of an urban area the old structures might

become less useful.

The state authorities lay a lot of stress on effective Watershed Management

Sound watershed management through extensive soil conservation, catchment area

treatment, preservation of forests and increasing the forest area and construction of

check dams shall be promoted to reduce the intensity of floods

(http://waterresources.rajasthan.gov.in/5disaster.htm). Watershed management is

much popular in the agricultural areas. Here, the measures include maintaining trees

and vegetative covers, terrace farming, slope stabilization, structures to direct flood

or excess water. These measures improve rain water infiltration in the soil eventually

minimizing run-off. The emphasis is also laid to tackle water logging and salinity

problems. Such Watershed programs involve a very large scale planning.

When the flood occurs the relief and rescue management begins, which

involves the active participation and immediate action by the identified responsible

government authorities along with NGO‟s volunteers, home guards, charitable

institutions to tackle the situation efficiently. Relief camps are established and all the

required facilities and aid is provided. In these after flood management the role of

Administrative Arrangements; Duties of different Officers and Establishments and

the role of Armed Forces assume the greatest importance. Their effectiveness of the

relief management depends on their level of co-ordination.


Losses of life and property are calculated and detailed report to the Government

is submitted. This report contains a complete description about the nature and cause

of the flood, loss of human and livestock, estimated damage to public and private

properties, agricultural land and crops, public utilities, etc. This helps in rendering

the destitute gratuitous relief immediately and in selecting the prompt measures that

must be taken for their rescue, evacuation, relief and rehabilitation operations.

The sufferers of the flood are provided with immediate aid by the Government

in form of medical aid, temporary shelter, clothing, cooked food for maximum period

of 15 days, and necessary household articles like utensil. Gratuitous relief may be in

the form of cash as well. The expenditure on grant in aid is provided under "2245-

Relief on account of Natural Calamities", in the budget.

Assistance is also provided to the agriculturists who suffer damage to their

crops, agricultural lands and houses as determined by the revenue Authorities on the

basis of eye estimate. Agriculturist whose sown area is completely inundated, whose

standing crop is completely washed away by floods or severely damaged or has

rendered the lands unfit for immediate cultivation are provided assistance in form of

seeds and restoring and de-silting the land etc. Repair and restoration of the rural

houses is also assisted by the relief authorities. Losses incurred on livestock are also

taken care by the government by reconstructing cattle sheds, providing cattle feed etc.

From the above description it can be seen that the flood management

machinery of the state is well planned. Each department or authority is fully

informed of the function it has to perform and the hierarchy that must be followed. It

should also be noted that if the flood forecasting and the flood mitigation is timely

and efficient in the state then the loss of life and property can be lessened.


5.5 DROUGHTS IN RAJASTHAN

Rajasthan, the largest state has 10.41% total area containing 5% of total

population of the country but just 1% water resources. The western part of the

Aravallis falls in the arid region comprising of the Thar Desert region. The state has

low and erratic rainfall making the region vulnerable to drought. Based on historical

data the frequency of occurrence of droughts in the state is depicted in Map – 22.

Drought may be generally defined as a temporary reduction in water or

moisture availability significantly below the normal or expected amount for a

specified period (Disaster Management and Relief Department, 2009). Drought

occurs in all the districts of the state with varying intensities of moderate and severe.

The drought impacts the availability of food, fodder and water by creating their

shortage or discrepancies between supply and demand. Drought can have direct and

significant impact on the overall economy by affecting food and fodder production.

Drought is characterized by slow onset and its effects may accumulate over

time and may remain for many years. Because of this assessing the impact and

planning assistance becomes difficult for a drought situation. The degree of crop loss

in droughts is influenced by the moisture retention of soil and timing of the rains.

There are a few factors which contribute to vulnerability during droughts,

like more dependency on rain-fed agriculture; inability of farmers to adapt to

drought due to repeated crop failures; insufficient pastures for livestock-dependent

populations; acute drought may lead to famine and deaths; and in the areas with

inadequate assistance from government or other agencies vulnerability to death may

increase.


MAP - 22


Droughts may be classified in the following type:

1. The Meteorological drought results from a shortfall in precipitation. It is

measured by a relative comparison between the degrees of dryness and

normal or average amount of rainfall that should have been received. This

comparative study must be region specific and may be measured against

annual, monthly, seasonal or daily time scales of rainfall.

2. The Hydrological drought involves a reduction of water resources in

groundwater, streams, lakes and reservoirs. For its calculation data on

availability of water in these reservoirs and their use pattern (domestic,

industrial, irrigated agricultural, etc.) is studied.

3. The Agricultural drought studies the impact of meteorological and

hydrological droughts on crop and livestock production of a region. It occurs

when a plant's demand for water through soil moisture is insufficient to

maintain its average plant growth. The impact of agricultural drought is

difficult to measure as water requirement and supply depend on the type of

plant, its stage of growth and the properties of the soil. Also the quality of

seeds pests, weeds, low soil fertility and poor agricultural practices too affect

the growth factors of a plant.

4. The Famine drought is said to have occurred when the food, fodder and water

shortages are very severe due to the effect of metrological and hydrological

droughts, when large numbers of people become unhealthy or die. It can be

regarded as an extreme form of agricultural drought as well which might be

even due to wars and conflicts.


5. The Socio-economic drought is a concept that recognizes the relationship

between drought and human activities. It is said to have occurred when the

poor socio-economic activities aggravate the impacts and vulnerability to

future droughts. It is usually seen in the regions where the supply of

important goods and services like water, fodder or electric power are weather

dependent and occurrence of a drought may cause significant shortages.

The drought prone areas of Rajasthan: The meteorological drought over an area or

place may be defined as a situation when annual rainfall over the area or place is less

than 75% of the normal. It is further classified as „moderate drought‟ if rainfall

deficit is between 25 to 50% and „severe drought‟ when it is more than 50%. Areas

where frequency of drought as defined above is 20% of the years examined are

classified as „drought areas‟ and areas having drought condition for more than 40%

of the years under consideration represent “chronically drought affected areas

(Indian Meteorological Department, 2010). Based on this the district wise rainfall

analysis was done. The annual average rainfall was compared to the average rainfall

of the studied period of 30 years i.e. from 1980 to 2009. And based on the

percentage of departure Moderate and Severe Drought years were categorized.

Further classification was done by calculating the frequency of meteorological

droughts and the districts were categorized as „Drought Areas‟ and “Chronically

Drought Affected Areas”. This classification has been tabulated in Table – 11. The

„Drought Areas‟ include Alwar, Banswara, Barmer, Bhilwara, Bikaner, Churu,

Dausa, Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jhunjhunu, Kota, Nagaur and Udaipur

districts. The „Chronically Drought Affected Areas‟ include Ganganagar, Pali and

Sirohi districts.


Table - 11: Identification of Drought Districts of Rajasthan

S.

No.

Average Annual

Rainfall

Number of

Drought

Years (1980-

2009)

Percentage

of Total

Years

Drought Type Category

Drought

Area

Chronically

Drought

Affected Area

1 Ajmer 5 16.67

2 Alwar 7 23.33 Alwar

3 Banswara 7 23.33 Banswara

4 Baran 3 10.00

5 Barmer 11 36.67 Barmer

6 Bharatpur 6 20.00

7 Bhilwara 7 23.33 Bhilwara

8 Bikaner 7 23.33 Bikaner

9 Bundi 3 10.00

10 Chittorgarh 5 16.67

11 Churu 7 23.33 Churu

12 Dausa 9 30.00 Dausa

13 Dholpur 4 13.33

14 Dungarpur 6 20.00

15 Ganganagar 15 50.00

Ganganagar

16 Hanumangarh 7 23.33 Hanumangarh

17 Jaipur 6 20.00

18 Jaisalmer 7 23.33 Jaisalmer

19 Jalore 11 36.67 Jalore

20 Jhalawar 5 16.67

21 Jhunjhunu 7 23.33 Jhunjhunu

22 Jodhpur 6 20.00

23 Karauli 4 13.33

24 Kota 8 26.67 Kota

25 Nagaur 7 23.33 Nagaur

26 Pali 14 46.67

Pali

27 Pratapgarh 4 13.33

28 Rajsamand 6 20.00

29 Sawai Madhopur 6 20.00

30 Sikar 8 26.66 Sikar

31 Sirohi 12 40.00

Sirohi

32 Tonk 6 20.00

33 Udaipur 9 30.00 Udaipur



5.6 HISTORY OF DROUGHT

Rajasthan has had many drought years in the past and the region lying

towards the west of the Aravalli Range is an arid region. The degree of effectiveness

of drought depends on the amount of shortage of rainfall. The following chapter

mentions the drought years that have been observed in the 30 years ranging from

1980 and 2009.

For the same the average annual rainfall received at that district was

compared to the average rainfall of the observed 30 years. The percentage of

departure of average annual rainfall was compared from the average rainfall

received during 1980 and 2009. If during a year the average annual rainfall is

between 25 percent and 50 percent below the average of the district for a specific

year, then that is categorized as Moderate Drought Year and if the average annual

rainfall is below 50 percent then the year is categorized as Severe Drought Year.

The detailed calculation has been tabulated in Table – 12 and Graph – 21

depicts the frequency of Moderate and Severe Drought Years in Rajasthan.

Table – 12 Categorization of Droughts in Rajasthan

Year

Average

Annual

Rainfall

Departure

from Average

of District

Percentage of

Departure from the

Normal Rainfall

Category of

Drought

AJMER

1986 256.38 -152.68 -37.32 Moderate Drought

1987 141.32 -267.74 -65.45 Severe Drought

1999 136.11 -272.95 -66.73 Severe Drought

2002 180.70 -228.36 -55.83 Severe Drought



Year

Average

Annual

Rainfall

Departure

from Average

of District

Percentage of

Departure from the

Normal Rainfall

Category of

Drought

ALWAR


1987 236.50 -339.25 -58.92 Severe Drought



1999 204.47 -371.28 -64.49 Severe Drought

2002 212.19 -363.56 -63.15 Severe Drought


BANSWARA








BARAN



2002 198.28 -558.09 -73.79 Severe Drought

BARMER




1986 69.15 -175.59 -71.75 Severe Drought

1987 41.85 -202.90 -82.90 Severe Drought


1991 76.30 -168.44 -68.82 Severe Drought



2002 59.00 -185.74 -75.89 Severe Drought



Year

Average

Annual

Rainfall

Departure

from Average

of District

Percentage of

Departure from the

Normal Rainfall

Category of

Drought

BHARATPUR







BHILWARA








BIKANER



1991 97.35 -136.60 -58.39 Severe Drought



2002 60.83 -173.12 -74.00 Severe Drought


BUNDI





Year

Average

Annual

Rainfall

Departure

from Average

of District

Percentage of

Departure from the

Normal Rainfall

Category of

Drought

CHITTORGARH






CHURU







2002 162.17 -181.57 -52.82 Severe Drought

DAUSA







2002 152.45 -458.61 -75.05 Severe Drought



DHOLPUR






Year

Average

Annual

Rainfall

Departure

from Average

of District

Percentage of

Departure from the

Normal Rainfall

Category of

Drought

DUNGARPUR







GANGANAGAR

1986 64.38 -100.48 -60.95 Severe Drought

1987 60.64 -104.22 -63.22 Severe Drought


1989 66.24 -98.61 -59.82 Severe Drought

1990 72.48 -92.37 -56.03 Severe Drought

1991 69.52 -95.33 -57.83 Severe Drought



1994 35.51 -129.34 -78.46 Severe Drought

1995 43.92 -120.93 -73.36 Severe Drought

1997 63.65 -101.20 -61.39 Severe Drought

1998 37.63 -127.22 -77.17 Severe Drought

1999 27.45 -137.40 -83.35 Severe Drought

2001 57.92 -106.93 -64.87 Severe Drought


HANUMANGARH



1989 136.96 -159.44 -53.79 Severe Drought



2002 132.86 -163.55 -55.18 Severe Drought



Year

Average

Annual

Rainfall

Departure

from Average

of District

Percentage of

Departure from the

Normal Rainfall

Category of

Drought

JAIPUR


1987 199.18 -234.07 -54.03 Severe Drought





JAISALMER


1985 80.70 -90.42 -52.84 Severe Drought

1987 41.21 -129.90 -75.91 Severe Drought


2002 44.00 -127.12 -74.29 Severe Drought

2004 79.55 -91.57 -53.51 Severe Drought


JALORE



1986 136.24 -193.87 -58.73 Severe Drought

1987 56.95 -273.17 -82.75 Severe Drought


1991 100.88 -229.24 -69.44 Severe Drought







Year

Average

Annual

Rainfall

Departure

from Average

of District

Percentage of

Departure from the

Normal Rainfall

Category of

Drought

JHALAWAR






JHUNJHUNU



1987 204.62 -216.00 -51.35 Severe Drought



2002 148.13 -272.50 -64.78 Severe Drought


JODHPUR





2002 86.54 -151.08 -63.58 Severe Drought


KARAULI



1989 230.88 -305.08 -56.92 Severe Drought



Year

Average

Annual

Rainfall

Departure

from Average

of District

Percentage of

Departure from the

Normal Rainfall

Category of

Drought

KOTA


1989 247.72 -275.86 -52.69 Severe Drought


1997 231.02 -292.56 -55.88 Severe Drought

1998 124.01 -399.57 -76.32 Severe Drought




NAGAUR



1987 132.52 -189.49 -58.85 Severe Drought



2002 144.33 -177.68 -55.18 Severe Drought


PALI

1986 56.30 -214.13 -79.18 Severe Drought

1987 23.68 -246.76 -91.24 Severe Drought


1989 72.23 -198.20 -73.29 Severe Drought


1991 70.17 -200.27 -74.05 Severe Drought

1993 109.00 -161.44 -59.69 Severe Drought

1994 125.95 -144.49 -53.43 Severe Drought

1995 86.09 -184.35 -68.17 Severe Drought

1996 94.56 -175.88 -65.03 Severe Drought


1998 60.66 -209.78 -77.57 Severe Drought

1999 100.53 -169.91 -62.83 Severe Drought



Year

Average

Annual

Rainfall

Departure

from Average

of District

Percentage of

Departure from the

Normal Rainfall

Category of

Drought

PRATAPGARH





RAJSAMAND







SAWAI MADHOPUR






2002 195.82 -329.55 -62.73 Severe Drought

SIKAR






2002 171.20 -229.41 -57.27 Severe Drought




Year

Average

Annual

Rainfall

Departure

from Average

of District

Percentage of

Departure from the

Normal Rainfall

Category of

Drought

SIROHI

1986 145.35 -293.23 -66.86 Severe Drought

1987 56.61 -381.97 -87.09 Severe Drought

1989 180.72 -257.86 -58.79 Severe Drought

1991 142.70 -295.88 -67.46 Severe Drought


1995 156.88 -281.70 -64.23 Severe Drought

1996 171.48 -267.10 -60.90 Severe Drought


1998 151.41 -287.17 -65.48 Severe Drought

1999 132.67 -305.91 -69.75 Severe Drought



TONK





2002 198.70 -216.70 -52.17 Severe Drought


UDAIPUR

1986 185.98 -255.51 -57.87 Severe Drought

1987 181.52 -259.96 -58.88 Severe Drought

1993 205.53 -235.96 -53.45 Severe Drought


1995 136.49 -304.99 -69.08 Severe Drought

1996 185.27 -256.22 -58.04 Severe Drought



2000 194.50 -246.99 -55.94 Severe Drought



Graph – 21

The history of Drought is discussed below:

1. Ajmer

The Ajmer district has 5 occurrences of drought years during the observed time

span. Year 1986 and 2009 are the 2 moderate drought years with average annual rainfall

37.3 and 38.3 percent below the average respectively. Years 1987, 1999 and 2002 are

the severe drought years with average annual rainfall 65.4, 66.7 and 55.8 percent below

the average respectively. Here, 1986 and 1987 were consecutive drought years.

2. Alwar

Years 1987, 1999 and 2002 were severe drought years with average annual

rainfall 58.9, 64.4 and 63.1 percent respectively. Whereas years 1986, 1989, 1991

and 2006 are the moderate drought years with average annual rainfall 49.2, 41.4,

31.4 and 30.3 percent below the average respectively. In this district 1986 and 1987

are the consecutive drought years.

0

2

4

6

8

10

12

Ajm

er

Alw

ar

Ban

swar

a

Bar

an

Bar

mer

Bhar

atpur

Bhil

war

a

Bik

aner

Bu

ndi

Chit

torg

arh

Churu

Dau

sa

Dholp

ur

Dungar

pur

Sri

Gan

gan

agar

Han

um

angar

h

Jaip

ur

Jais

alm

er

Jalo

re

Jhal

awar

Jhu

njh

unu

Jodhpur

Kar

auli

Kota

Nag

aur

Pal

i

Pra

tapgar

h

Raj

sam

and

Saw

ai M

adhopur

Sik

ar

Sir

ohi

Tonk

Udai

pur

Nu

mb

er o

f Y

ears

Districts

District wise Frequency of Severe and Moderate Drought

Years in Rajasthan (1980-2009)

Severe Drought Years Moderate Drought Years


3. Banswara

There are 7 moderate drought years in the district with no severe drought

year. The years 1999 and 2000 saw consecutive droughts. Year 1985, 1989, 1995,

1999, 2000, 2002 and 2008 had average annual rainfall 39.0, 33.1, 30.2, 27.5, 38.3,

33.9 and 30.6 percent below the average respectively.

4. Baran

The district saw 2 moderate and 1 severe drought year during the observed

years. Year 2002 received 73.3 percent average annual rainfall below the average and

hence categorised as severe drought year. Years 1986 and 1989 had average annual

rainfall 33.9 and 48.7 percent below the average and are moderate drought years.

5. Barmer

There have been 11 instances of drought years in the Barmer district, with 4

severe drought years. Years 1980, 1981, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1996, 1999,

2002 and 2005 are classified as moderate average annual rainfall years as the average

annual rainfall received was 28.1, 40.0, 30.1, 36.2, 32.6, 28.6 and 31.4 below the

average respectively. The severe drought years were 1986, 1987, 1991 and 2002

with average annual rainfall 71.7, 82.9, 68.8 and 75.8 percent below the average

respectively. It can be seen that 1980-1981, 1985-1987 and 1999-2000 are consecutive

and 1987, 1989 and 1991 are alternate drought years of the district.

6. Bharatpur

There are no occurrences of severe drought in the district but moderate

drought years are 6 in number. They are year 1981, 1986, 1987, 2000, 2002 and

2006 when the average annual rainfall was 27.0, 44.3, 47.1, 41.0, 37.7 and 37.9


below the average. Here 1986-1987 are consecutive and 200 and 2002 are alternate

drought years of the district.

7. Bhilwara

The years 1981, 1987, 1993, 1998, 1999, 2002 and 2009 are moderate

drought years with average annual rainfall 25.7, 36.9, 25.3, 30.0, 31.08, 46.9 and

31.4 percent below the average. Here 1998 and 1999 are consecutive drought years.

The Bhilwara district had no severe drought years during the observed time span.

8. Bikaner

The Bikaner district had 2 occurrences of severe drought years i.e. during

1991 and 2002 when the average annual rainfall was 58.3 and 74.0 percent below

the average. The moderate drought years are 1985, 1986, 1993, 1999 and 2004 when

the average annual rainfall was 43.2, 28.1, 38.5 25.5 and 32.7 respectively below the

average. It can be observed that 1985-1986 are consecutive and 1991, 1993 and

2002, 2004 are alternate drought years.

9. Bundi

There are 3 occurrences of moderate drought in the district during 1987,

1989 and 2002 when the average annual rainfall was 34.6, 30.1 and 45.0 percent

below the average respectively. Here, 1987 and 1989 are alternate drought years.

There is no severe drought year in the district during the observed time span.

10. Chittorgarh

The district has 5 moderate drought years i.e. 1987, 1988, 1998, 2000, and

2002 when the average annual rainfall was 43.7, 25.2, 29.4, 29.0 and 35.6 percent

below the average. Here 4987 and 1988 are consecutive and 2000 and 2002 are

alternate drought years.


11. Churu

Churu district has 7 drought years where 1984 and 1986; 1987 and 1989; and

2000 and 2002 are alternate and 1986-1987 and 1999-2000 are consecutive drought

years. The moderate drought years are 1984, 1986, 1987, 1989, 1999 and 2000 with

average annual rainfall 25.7, 29.1, 45.0, 30.1, 37.1 and 30.1 percent below the

average respectively. The year 2002 is the only severe drought year with average

annual rainfall 52.8 percent below the average.

12. Dausa

The district had just 1 occurrence of severe drought year in the district during

2002 when the average annual rainfall was 75.05 percent below the average. The

moderate drought years are 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 2000, 2006 and 2009

with average annual rainfall 27.6, 28.6, 37.3, 46.0, 40.3, 32.7, 41.6 and 36.8 percent

below the average respectively. In Dausa district year 1982 and 1984; 2000 and

2002 are alternate drought years and 1986 to 1988 are consecutive drought years.

13. Dholpur

The Dholpur district had 4 occurrences of moderate drought years with 1987

and 1989 being the alternate drought years. Hence, during the years 1987, 1989,

1991 and 2006 the average annual rainfall was 42.5, 30.9, 35.8 and 27.2 percent

below the average.

14. Dungarpur

During the observed time span the district had 6 occurrences of moderate

droughts and no severe drought was seen during the observed years. Here, 1999 and

2000 are consecutive drought years and 2000 and 2002 alternate drought years. The

years 1985, 1995, 1999, 2000, 2002 and 2008 had average annual rainfall 42.2, 27.2,

26.6, 41.1, 41.9 and 29.9 percent below the average respectively.


15. Ganganagar

The district had 15 years of drought during the observed 30 years. Years

1986 to 1995 are consecutive 10 years of meteorological drought followed by

drought during 1997 to 1999 and 2001 and 2002. The severe drought years were

1986, 1987, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999 and 2001 with average

annual rainfall 60.9, 63.2, 59.8, 56.0, 57.8, 78.4, 73.3, 61.3, 77.1, 83.3 and 64.8

percent below the average respectively. There are also 4 years of moderate drought

during 1988, 1992, 1993 and 2002 when the average annual rainfall was 45.9, 32.4,

46.1 and 46.0 percent below the average.

16. Hanumangarh

The district had 2 occurrences of severe drought years during 1989 and 2002

when the average annual rainfall was 53.7 and 55.1 percent below the average. The

years 1986, 1987, 1990, 200 and 2004 had average annual rainfall 31.2, 46.7, 43.7,

37.8 and 30.7 percent below the average respectively. Here, 1986 and 1987; 1989

and 1990 are consecutive drought years and 1987 and 1989; 200-2002-2004 are

alternate drought years.

17. Jaipur

The year 1987 was the only severe drought year in the district during the

observed time span, when the average annual rainfall exceeded the average by 54.02

percent. The years 1986 and 1987 are the consecutive drought years and 1987 and

1989; 1999 and 2001 are the alternate drought years of the district, Here, during

1986, 1989, 1991, 1999 and 2000 were observed as moderate drought years as the

average annual rainfall was 44.02, 27.1, 33.5, 32.4 and 38.06 percent below average

respectively.


18. Jaisalmer

The Jaisalmer district had 7 drought years during 1980 and 2009 where 1984

and 1985 were consecutive drought years and 1985 and 1987; 2002 and 2004 are

alternate drought years in the district. The years 1984, 1991 and 2009 have been

classified as the moderate drought years where average annual rainfall was 30.7,

48.3 and 40.4 percent below the average. The years 1985, 1987, 2002 and 2004 are

the severe drought years as the average annual rainfall was 52.8, 75.9, 74.2 and 53.5

percent below the average.

19. Jalore

The district has 3 severe and 8 moderate drought years during the observed

time span. Here the years 1985-1986 and 1987; 1998 and 1999 are consecutive and

1987 and 1989 and 1991 are the alternate drought years. The severe drought years

are 1986, 1987 and 1991 with average annual rainfall 58.7, 82.7 and 69.4 respectively

below the average. The moderate drought years are 1980, 1985, 1989, 1996, 1998,

1999, 2002 and 2009 with average annual rainfall 41.3, 27.3, 29.8, 39.6, 36.9, 34.2,

49.0 and 45.5 percent below the average respectively.

20. Jhalawar

Here years 1980, 1989, 1998, 2002 and 2005 are the moderate drought years

with average annual rainfall 29.2, 36.6, 27.5, 32.3 and 25.1 percent below the average

respectively. The district had no severe drought year in the observed time span.

21. Jhunjhunun

The years 1987 and 2002 are the severe drought years of the district when the

average annual rainfall was 51.3 and 64.7 percent below the average respectively. The


moderate drought years were 1981, 1986, 1989, 1999 and 2009 with average annual

rainfall 27.7, 40.0, 42.5, 37.1 and 30.6 percent respectively below the average. The

district had 1986 and 1987 as consecutive and 1987 and 1989 as alternate drought

years.

22. Jodhpur

The year 2002 is the only severe drought year in the district when the

average annual rainfall was 63.5 percent below the average. The years 1986, 1991,

1993, 1998 and 2009 are considered as moderate drought years as the average

annual rainfall received is 38.2, 35.1, 32.1, 30.6 and 44.8 percent below the average

respectively. Here, 1991 and 1993 are alternate drought years.

23. Karauli

The district had the occurrence of drought majorly between 1986 and 1989.

The years 1986, 1987 and 2001 are classified as moderate drought years as the

average annual rainfall was 46.5, 35.2 and 44.6 percent below the average

respectively. Year 1989 is categorised as severe drought year with average annual

rainfall 56.9 percent below the average.

24. Kota

The Kota district has alternate drought years during 1987 and 1989 and

consecutive drought years during 1997 and 1998 and 1999. The moderate drought

years are 1987, 1993, 1999, 2002 and 2005 with average annual rainfall 47.4, 28.2,

34.7, 25.5 and 26.7 percent below the average respectively. The severe drought

years are 1989, 1997 and 1998 with average annual rainfall below the average by

52.6, 55.8 and 76.3 percent respectively.


25. Nagaur

The severe drought years of the district are 1987 and 2002 with average

annual rainfall 58.8 and 55.1 percent below the average respectively. The years 1984,

1986, 1989, 1999 and 2009 are moderate drought years with 35.4, 36.2, 33.6, 37.1

and 45.2 percent average annual rainfall less than the average respectively. Here,

1984 and 1986; 1987 and 1989 are alternate and 1986 and 1987 are consecutive

drought years.

26. Pali

The district had 14 years of drought out of the observed 30 years. Here there

has been consecutive drought for 6 years during 1986 and 1991 and for 7 years

during 1993 and 1999. There have been 10 years of severe droughts i.e. 1986, 1987,

1989, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1998 and 1999 with average annual rainfall

being lower than the average by 79.1, 91.2, 73.2, 74.0, 59.6, 53.4, 68.1, 65.0, 77.5

and 62.8 respectively. The moderate drought years were 1988, 1990, 1997 and 2002

with average annual rainfall 30.7, 43.7, 40.1 and 45.4 percent below the average

respectively.

27. Pratapgarh

There are 4 years classified as moderate drought years on the district with no

severe drought year. The moderate drought years were 1992, 1998, 2000 and 2002

with 32.4, 48.0, 36.9 and 30.5 percent average annual rainfall below the average.

28. Rajsamand

The district had following 6 years of moderate drought in the district 1984,

1985, 1987, 1993, 2000 and 2002 with average annual rainfall below the average by


29.3, 37.8, 48.9, 25.2, 42.7 and 41.8 percent respectively. There are no years

classified as severe drought years. Here 1984 and 1985 are consecutive and 1985

and 1987 as alternate drought years in the district.

29. Sawai Madhopur

The district had 5 moderate drought years during the observed time span i.e.

during 1987, 1989, 1993, 1997 and 2000 with average annual rainfall 44.9, 34.6,

42.2, 25.1 and 27.8 percent below the average respectively. The year 2002 is the

only severe drought year with 62.7 percent average annual rainfall below the

average. The years 1987 and 1989 are alternate drought years.

30. Sikar

At Sikar district too, 2002 is the only severe drought year with average

annual rainfall 57.2 percent below the average. The year 1987 and 1989; 2000 and

2002 are alternate and 1999 and 200 are consecutive drought years of the district.

The 7 moderate drought years are 1984, 1987, 1989, 1999, 2000, 2004 and 2009

with average annual rainfall below the average by 27.9, 49.3, 31.4, 27.7, 44.2 and

43.8 respectively.

31. Sirohi

There have been 12 drought years in the district during the observed 30

years. The years 1986 and 1987; and 1995 to 1999 are the consecutive drought years

and 1987 and 1989 and 1991 and 1993 and 1995 are the alternate drought years.

There were 8 severe drought years i.e. 1986, 1987, 1989, 1991, 1995, 1996, 1998

and 1999 with average annual rainfall 66.8, 87.0, 58.7, 67.4, 64.2, 60.9, 65.4 and

69.7 percent below the average respectively. And the 4 moderate drought years were


1993, 1997, 2002 and 2009 with average annual rainfall less than the average by

44.3, 27.5, 45.7 and 28.3 percent respectively.

32. Tonk

The moderate drought years of the district are 1986, 1987, 1993, 1997 and

2009 with average annual rainfall 40.3, 44.4, 27.4, 49.1 and 33.2 percent below the

average respectively. Year 2002 was the only severe drought year with average

annual rainfall 52.16 percent less than the average. The years 1986 and 1987 are the

consecutive drought years of the district.

33. Udaipur

The district had 9 drought years with 1986 and 1987; 1993 to 1997; and 1999

and 2000 as the consecutive drought years. The 6 severe drought years are 1986,

1987, 1993, 1995, 1996 and 2000 with average annual rainfall percentage 57.8, 58.8,

53.4, 69.0, 58.0 and 55.9 percent below the average respectively. The moderate

drought years were 1994, 1997 and 1999 with average annual rainfall below the

average by 37.5, 46.7 and 31.4 percent respectively.

The study shows that the frequency of droughts has at many districts

increased during the last decade. All the districts have experienced low average

annual rainfall leading to moderate and severe drought years. But the districts like

Banswara, Bharatpur, Bhilwara, Bundi, Chittorgarh, Dholpur, Dungarpur, Jhalawar,

Pratapgarh and Rajsamand had no severe drought year, whereas Pali and Ganganagar

Districts had the highest frequency of drought years in Rajasthan during 1980 and

2009. The decadal occurences of drought in Rajasthan are depicted in Graph - 22.


Graph – 22

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

Ajm

er

Alw

ar

Bansw

ara

Bara

n

Barm

er

Bhara

tpu

r

Bhil

wara

Bik

aner

Bu

ndi

Chit

torg

arh

Chu

ru

Dau

sa

Dholp

ur

Du

ngarp

ur

Ganganagar

Hanum

angarh

Jaip

ur

Jais

alm

er

Jalo

re

Jhala

war

Jhu

njh

unu

Jodhpur

Kara

uli

Kota

Nagaur

Pali

Pra

tap

garh

Rajs

am

and

Saw

ai M

adhop

ur

Sik

ar

Sir

ohi

Tonk

Udaip

ur

No. of

Occ

ura

nce

s

Districts

District-wise Decadal Frequency of Droughts in Rajasthan (1980-2009)

1980-1989 1990-1999 2000-2009


5.7 IMPACT OF DROUGHT

Rajasthan state is has a dry and arid type of climate especially on the western

part. There has been a long history of droughts in the state. There have been various

severe and moderate drought years in the state during the observed years. Out of the

33 districts of the state 15 districts namely – Alwar, Banswara, Barmer, Bhilwara,

Bikaner, Churu, Dausa, Hanumangarh, Jaisalmer, Jalore, Jhunjhunu, Kota, Nagaur,

Sikar and Udaipur are drought affected. 3 districts namely – Ganganagar, Pali and

Sirohi fall in chronically drought affected category.

The impacts of drought are seen is social, economic and environmental

fronts. The most significant effect is seen on the quality and quantity of water of the

region. Extreme stress and paucity of basic necessities causes a situation of famine.

The 4 types of famines are – „Annakal‟ (food grain famine), „Jalakal‟ (scarcity of

water), „Trinakal‟ (fodder famine) and „Trikal‟ (scarcity of food grains, water and

fodder). Though in the present times the conditions of famine are absent in the state.

Impacts are seen in crop production losses, harm to habitats of various

animal and fish species, harm to plant species, degradation of the fertile layer of the

soil, income loss for farmers, losses to agro-products industries, mass unemployment,

losses of revenue to government. There are also food shortages, loss of human life,

decline in the living conditions, increased poverty and a sharp increase in the

migration of the population to the areas with better facilities.

In the survey conducted in the drought prone Barmer rural area

covering the Aagore, Mahaderi Naadi, Uttarlai naadi, Naganeshia and Beriyon

ka Baas the following impacts of droughts were observed from the accounts of the

people (see Figure – 5).


Figure - 5 Surveyor interviewing farmers at Naganeshia dhaani,

Doonda village, Barmer

Water Resources: The main source of water in the villages or Dhaanis in western

Rajasthan is Naadi or community pond. See Figure – 6. The rain water gets collected

there and is used throughout the year.

Figure – 6 Surveyor at Mahaderi Naadi, Uttarlai village,

Barmer taking information

These Naadis are a source of water for both humans and animals of the

region. The ground water of the area is saline hence is not normally used. There are


also presence of small wells or Kui. These are covered wells. The government assists

in building of these covered wells i.e. tankas (see Figure – 7).

Figure – 7 Surveyor taking a look at the government assisted Tanka

Cultivation: The area is arid and the entire agriculture in the region is rain fed.

Hence, agriculture is of mainly of coarse grains. Bajra, Moong, Mooth, Gram and oil

seeds are popularly grown. The general vegetation of the region of thorny shrubs in

patches in some region (see Figure – 8) and there are regions completely devoid of

any vegetation. During the drought period there is absolutely no agriculture.

Figure – 8 Natural Vegetation of the surveyed region


Livestock: Cow, goat, buffalo, sheep and camel are normally domesticated. They

are reared mainly for milk and wool or hides. Water is supplied by the government

to small tanks especially built for cattle (see Figure – 9). There are pastures to feed

the cattle. During droughts there is an increased mortality of cattle due to less feed

and water. Also the locals informed that the feed supplied from the relief operation

is non- conventional. The cattle owners told that they leave their cattle free so that

they could look for fodder themselves. The respondents also told that few cattle died

due to choking of intestines as they ate polythene bags.

Figure – 9 One of the tanks especially built for cattle in the surveyed region

Cattle Feed and Fodder Resources: The respondents told that the insufficiency of

feed and fodder both in quality and quantity is a major problem. This problem

becomes even more during the drought years.

Socio – Economic Issues: During the drought period water scarcity is the biggest

constraint. The primary occupation of agriculture becomes impossible to be

practiced. Livestock rearing is the second major occupation of the region. But due to

drought a large scale migration of sheep and goats was seen from the region. There


was weight loss amongst cows and sheep due to which the overall production and

dependence got affected. The migration of families along with their herds and

alienation of land were seen on a large scale.

Hence, it can be seen that the impact on land use post-drought in every

situation is that there is a sharp decrease of forest area, permanent pastures and

grazing lands. The Barren area and uncultivated land and culturable wasteland

increase.


5.8 DROUGHT MANAGEMENT

The National Water Policy highlights that through the measures related to

soil-moisture conservation, water harvesting, minimizing evaporation loss and

development of the ground water potential the drought-prone areas of the country

should be made less vulnerable. The needs of drought-prone areas should be given

priority when planning water resource development projects. Even the relief works

must employ the drought stricken population and the work should be directed

towards making the region drought proof. The State Water Policy of Rajasthan

follows these guidelines and provides all the support for making the drought prone

areas less vulnerable.

As drought has been a frequent feature in Rajasthan so the communities of

western Rajasthan have developed strategies to survive drought by storing water,

food and fodder using their indigenous techniques. Livestock dependent communities

diversify their herds to act as insurance against drought. Some cattle owners of the

western Rajasthan migrate seasonally to Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh.

People migrate to look for jobs.

The monsoon in the state brings erratic and uncertain rainfall. The production

of Kharif crops is rainfall dependent. Hence it is necessary to have a response system

to deal with the situation. The Rajasthan Government follows an early warning and

response system; learning from the past experiences by proper data analysis, timely

maintenance of irrigation system; adoption of crop stabilization strategy; storing

adequate amount of food stuff; alternate arrangements for drinking water supply;

and repair and construction of deep wells or bore wells.


These pre-drought preparedness works require the co-ordination of various

departments and government officials like, Gram Sabha, Patwari, The Circle

Inspector, The Tehsildar, The Sub divisional Officer, Collector, Chief Executive

Officer of Zilla Parishad, Executive Engineer of Irrigation Department, various bank

officials, Executive Engineer of Electricity Department, District Agricultural

Officer, Executive Engineer of PHED, District Animal Husbandry Officer, District

Medical Officer and the Director of the Bureau of Economics and Statistics.

All the officers of the respective departments collected the relevant

information, based on which a report is submitted to the State Government. A

declaration of scarcity is done by following set criteria which is related to the

scenario of deterioration of agricultural crop production due to failure of rains or

other natural calamity or due to pests and diseases; deficit of drinking water; and

deficit of fodder. The crop failure hence results in severe unemployment.

The Drought Relief Operations are started soon after the declaration of

scarcity. The government is not only providing assistance to meet the hardship but

also strives to provide for quality of life. The following strategies are employed to

combat the drought situation:

1. The people of the drought struck area are employed in long term drought

proofing works. These works are related to the fields of Water harvesting

structures, Soil conservation, Afforestation, Pasture Development, Water

shed development and Rural Roads, De-silting of nadis, tankas etc.

2. Durable assets are created by the State/Centre Sector Schemes like Food for

Work; creation of new assets like houses, wells, tanka, ponds etc.; Promote


handloom activities; BPL, Small and Marginal farmers, landless agriculture

labourers are provided work on priority. Separate plans are prepared for the

tribal areas.

3. For Cattle Conservation fodder is provided at subsidized rates; cattle camps

are maintained; veterinary health is given due attention; and cultivation of

green fodder is encouraged.

4. To provide drinking water augmentation of existing water resources; repair

and installation of new Hand Pumps and Tube Wells; Revival of traditional

water sources under Rajiv Gandhi Drinking Water Mission; and transportation

of water through road and rail tankers.

5. Other Measures like Effective implementation of social security, nutrition

and health schemes, old age pension scheme, Mid-day-Meal program, Health

care schemes; and active and prompt involvement of donors, NGOs and

Panchayat Raj Institutions.

6. The drought affected population is also provided with Gratuitous – Relief.

This is provide to the persons who cannot work i.e. the old aged and infirm;

the blind, crippled or insane; pregnant women and young children with no

support from relatives; and those who take care of incapable adults or young

children at home.

Water especially for drinking purposes is most essential necessity and has to

be provided to both of humans and livestock. The measures taken in Rajasthan to

supply drinking water are improving the rural water supply works and drinking

water supply in urban areas; especially marking few reservoirs for drinking water


purposes only; continuous repairs of hand pumps; and supply the water to the

affected region by tankers through road and rail or bullock-carts.

Providing essential commodities like food grains, edible oil and kerosene is

also very essential. This is mostly done through fair-price shops which have adequate

stock of these items. For the same may programs are also launched. Which include

the effective implementation of Public Distribution Schemes like Antyodaya Ann

Yojna, Annapoorna, Below Poverty Line and Above Poverty Line; others schemes

like National Family Benefit Scheme, National Maternity Benefit Scheme; providing

relief in kind (food grain) to the infirm, destitute, sick, pregnant women, orphans

etc.; encouraging donors to provide food articles; and free distribution of food grain

to the selected few very distressed families.

Monitoring of drought is a considerably important task especially in the

drought prone areas for each village at the district level. During the failure of

monsoons the District Relief Officers monitor the food, employment, drinking water,

fodder and general health situation for each village or Panchayat so that timely

action can be taken. Under the Chairmanship of Relief Secretary having Director

Agriculture, Director IMD, Hydrologist Irrigation Department and representative of

PHED and Ground Water Department a Weather Watch Group (WWG) has been

set- up in Rajasthan. This group help in providing early warning of drought onset

condition so that timely action can be taken. One of the most important inputs

available to the Weather Watch Group is monitors the water levels in all the medium

and major irrigation reservoirs for monitoring development of a drought situation

and a weekly assessment of crop condition is done at village level.


The drought relief funds are primarily available from: Calamity Relief Fund,

National Calamity Contingency Fund, State funds and various ministries like rural

development, agriculture too allocate additional funds. For the funding during natural

calamities the budget estimates are compiled by the Disaster Management and Relief

Department according to the provisions given in the Budget Manual under the Head

- "2245-Relief on Account of Natural Calamities" which is forwarded to the Finance

Department.

The state government recognizes the importance of developing long term

drought mitigation strategies. The long run plans will focus on: Awareness generation

amongst vulnerable groups; promoting Community Based Drought Preparedness

and mitigation Plans; capacity building of the State institutes and departments; and

strengthening frameworks at state and district levels for drought risk management.

In the measures related to drought mitigation and post-drought management

supply of drinking water is most essential. It is essential to educate people on water

budgeting, so that they could themselves understand water demand and supply

relation with the ground water level scenario of their region. In water scarce state

like Rajasthan efforts must be made to conserve every drop of water.

There is a very urgent need to conserve water in used for irrigation with the

promotion of drip irrigation, sprinkler irrigation, water meters for flow irrigation etc.

so that water is used judiciously.


For the optimal sustainable development, maintenance of quality and

efficient use of State's water resources following water management strategies have

been adopted for long term development:

1. For augmentation of Ground water levels rainwater harvesting techniques

must be employed. The rainwater is collected and retained for a longer time

period through check dams, roof top collections, naadi, contour bunding,

percolation tank etc. which helps in greater ground water recharge. This

technique is practiced in Rajasthan since ancient times.

2. Artificial recharge of ground water through feasible recharge methods like -

Induced recharge from surface water bodies, Percolation tanks, Recharge

through injection wells, Conservation of subsurface flows through construction

of sub surface dykes, etc.

3. The planning of Watershed Development is very beneficial for the state. It

involves an integrated approach that depends on physiographic and hydrologic

characteristics of a region. It includes construction of soil conservation works

on crop lands, construction of structures like percolation tanks, well

construction; check dams, contour bunds, gully plugging, rain water harvesting

structures etc.

4. The Planning Commission has suggested that for have better scientific

utilization of available resources planning must be done agro-climatic region

wise. This will help in making strategies to combat drought keeping in mind

the climate, topography, soil type, water resources and irrigation facilities.


5. Methods like sprinkler and drip irrigation should be promoted to save water

and achieve higher irrigation efficiency. The Irrigation systems must be

properly and regularly maintained.

6. There must be a shift to surface drinking water projects from the ground

water projects like: Indira Gandhi Canal for desert districts; River Chambal

for Alwar, Bharatpur, Sawai Madhopur, Karauli and Dholpur districts; River

Yamuna for Alwar, Bharatpur, Jhunjhunu and Sikar districts; River Mahi for

Dungarpur and Banswara districts; and River Banas for Ajmer, Tonk,

Bhilwara, Chittorgarh, Udaipur and Jaipur districts.

7. Rajasthan has 54% of fluoride water and 43% of saline water of the country.

Hence there is a requirement simple design and low maintenance fluoride

plants in the State.

8. Fodder banks should be created especially in the western Rajasthan 60

percent of total livestock of the state if found there. These fodder banks

should be regularly maintained so that during drought years fodder can be

supplied in the areas.

9. Reduction in evaporation from soil surface can be reduced by placing water

tight moisture barriers on the soil

10. State should take forest restoration to solve the problem of environment

degradation and help in drought mitigation. This will meet the demand for

fuel wood and fodder.

11. Pricing of water is required so that it is not considered a free commodity and

is used optimally.


12. To exploit the potential of ongoing irrigation and water supply projects they

must be completed timely.

13. Reduction of seepage losses in the conveyance system can be done by lining

of the canal system.

14. Optimum ground water exploitation and reuse of irrigation water must be

done.

15. Promoting comprehensive integrated basin planning approach, Lift Irrigation

Schemes and Inter Basin transfer of water.

16. Construction and revival of Rainwater Harvesting Structures; prevention of

evaporation losses from reservoirs and popularization of the use of

percolation tanks.

17. Dairy development in western Rajasthan, Allotment of Culturable wasteland

to Gaushalas, Promoting vermi compost production and diversification of

crops towards low water requiring horticultural crops.

18. Agriculture Insurance covering all food crops, oil seeds and annual

commercial crop must be done along with providing subsidy on selected

items for small and marginal farmers to save the farmers of the state.

19. In the drought prone districts like Barmer, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and Bikaner

there is a vast potential in Handicraft and Khadi Village Industries. The

locals or artists of this region must be promoted for non-farm activities so

that they have an alternate to agriculture during drought times.


Development pressures, population increase and environmental degradation

are the factors that could lead to climate change and also increase vulnerability to

drought. To deal with situation it is necessary to strengthen the coping mechanisms

through community-based integrated drought risk management plans using GIS

based risk and vulnerability mapping at district level. A wide range of factors

determine society's vulnerability to drought hence there is a need for a multi-sectoral

approach. For the same the government aims to combine traditional and indigenous

knowledge of drought preparedness and mitigation with modern science. This will

result in developing sustainable drought risk reduction strategies at state and district

levels.

5.1 FLOODS IN RAJASTHAN T - Information and Library...

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