Q7.Drought has been recognized as a disaster in view of its spatial expanse, temporal duration, slow onset and lasting effects on vulnerable sections. With a focus on the September 2010 guidelines from the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), discuss the mechanisms for preparedness to deal with likely El Nino and La Nina fallouts in India

Drought is a slow-onset disaster with wide spatial, temporal, and lasting socio-economic impacts, especially on vulnerable sections. India faces recurrent threats, often exacerbated by El Nino and La Nina.

NDMA 2010 Guidelines and Preparedness

NDMA's 2010 guidelines advocate a paradigm shift from reactive relief to proactive preparedness, mitigation, and risk reduction for drought management.

Key Preparedness Mechanisms

• Robust early warning systems using IMD forecasts and satellite data for real-time monitoring and vulnerability mapping.
• Integrated water resource management, including rainwater harvesting, efficient irrigation, and water budgeting.
• Agricultural contingency planning through crop diversification and promoting drought-resistant varieties.
• Strengthening institutional frameworks for inter-ministerial coordination, state action plans, and capacity building.
• Financial preparedness via crop insurance (e.g., PMFBY) and adequate disaster relief funds.

Effectively addressing El Nino/La Nina fallouts requires a multi-pronged, proactive, and integrated approach, aligning with NDMA's comprehensive disaster risk reduction strategy.