Drought Disaster: Issues, Challenges and Risk Mitigation Strategies

There is no universal definition for drought and it is not possible to identify the beginning and end of a drought season, unlike earthquake or flood. Drought is the most complex of all the natural disasters Drought and associated famines were reported in history as a chronic problem to mankind and still remains an unconquered issue especially in developing and lesser developed regions of the world. Droughts are classified into four types based on the impacts as meteorological, hydrological, agricultural and socio economic drought. This paper provides a brief overview of the global and national drought scenario, causes and impacts of drought and mitigation and management strategies with focus on proactive approaches. A case study on drought vulnerability and mitigation strategy analysis for the Bundelkhand region has been added at the end of the paper. This case study is an unique attempt of using scientific data and methods coupled with social science methods to carry out drought vulnerability analysis and effectives of mitigation strategies.