Study on Influence of Drought on Physical and...

Study on Influence of Drought on Physical and Socio-Economic Conditions of the Rayalaseema Region, Andhra Pradesh, India

Author Name : Prof. T. V. Krishna

ABSTRACT

Drought is a compound  natural hazard and it is defined as deficiency of  water to satisfy the normal needs of agriculture practice, livestock consumption, industrial use and also for human beings consumption. The causes for droughts are  due to variability of rainfall which leads to rainfall deficiency and water shortages.  It is generally more frequent in areas of less than 60cm rainfall and  variability above 40% rainfall and where irrigation facilities are not well developed. In India about 19% of the total geographical area and 12% of the total population facing drought prone conditions. The Rayalaseema region is a drought prone area because it receives  less amount of rainfall per annum with erratic nature, and lack of sufficient irrigation facilities led to formation of dry conditions in the region. These changes forced cultivators to reduce the  agricultural cropped area, and caused   instability in agricultural production. These conditions further influenced  on economical aspects, and also caused regional imbalances in Rayalaseema region. In this context  Rayalaseema region  taken for the study  to examine the extent of  influence of drought  on physical, and  socio-economic  conditions of Rayalaseema region.

Key words: Mandals, Drought, Annual rainfall, Land use/land cover, Agricultural labourers