Floods in Orissa, Himachal and Jammu - Roundup of the week's news (30 July - 5 August 2012)

Floods in Orissa, Jammu and Himachal

Heavy rainfall for 3 days in a row caused the Hati river in Kalahandi, Odisha to overflow on Sunday, necessitating the evacuation of at least 2,000 people.  A day earlier, torrential rains caused flash floods in Jammu and Himachal Pradesh causing 200 villages to be washed off.

Worst-ever deficit monsoon

Meanwhile, the rest of India continue to reel under the worst-ever deficit monsoon triggering drought-like conditions. The seriousness of the rainfall deficit was brought home when a grid failure on two consecutive days on July 30 and July 31 plunged 360 million and 600 million Indians spread over 20 states into darkness.

Overdrawing of power owing to a failed monsoon, leads to grid failure

Although the exact reason behind the grid failure is yet to be pinpointed, overdrawing by the northern region owing to a failed monsoon this year, and two consecutive years of inadequate rains is suspected to be the main cause. Farmers use energy-intensive pumps to draw groundwater to save crops when the rains fail them.

IMD predicts 15% shortfall in rains

Amid concerns of poor farm output and higher inflation, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted a 15 percent shortfall in rains as compared to the seasonal average for June to September. Reduced rains have been forecast in the second half of the monsoon due to an El Nino pattern.

NRSC survey predicts drought-like situation in many states

A recent survey by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) had predicted a drought -like situation in many Indian states. As per satellite and ground data, the NRSC report had stated that crop sowing activity had not commenced until June-end in 13 states owing to widespread meteorological drought.

Central Government announces Rs 2000-crore drought relief package

The looming water crisis saw the Central Government announce a Rs 2000-crore relief package, comprising Rs 1440 crore for an integrated watershed programme for major crop areas across several states, as well as a Rs 453 crore package for Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Haryana to meet drinking water needs.

Government plans early sowing for the forthcoming winter crop

Given the fact that the agriculture sector accounts for 20 per cent of India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the monsoon deficiency promises a rough patch for the Indian economy. The Indian bureaucracy was reported bracing up to face the situation with an emergency meeting to order early sowing for the forthcoming winter crop this year to tide over the present loss.

Western Maharashtra is one of the regions worst-affected by the drought

Western Maharashtra is one of the worst –affected regions and is experiencing large-scale migration to the cities. This is expected to see increased pressure on urban infrastructure in the near future.

Looming food crisis

A food crisis looms ahead, with global grain prices soaring as the United States wilts in the face of its worst drought in over half a century. India last faced a drought in 2009, when it had to import sugar.

National Water Framework Act

Meanwhile, the Centre has come up with a new draft National Water Policy, wherein a National Water Framework Act shall have guiding principles on water laws the States may adopt. States that adopt and reform will be granted incentives for water projects.