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Maharashtra's New Drought Threat: Arriving in Weeks
3 Aug
Summary
- Flash droughts develop rapidly, unlike traditional droughts.
- High temperatures and dry air accelerate drying in flash droughts.
- New study recommends integrating soil moisture into drought monitoring.
Droughts in Maharashtra are exhibiting a new, faster behavior, developing rapidly within weeks rather than months. A recent study by researchers from Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology (MANIT), Bhopal, analyzed data from 1981 to 2024 across 36 districts to understand these 'flash droughts'.
These events differ from conventional droughts as they combine rainfall deficits with high temperatures and rapidly drying soils. Lead investigator Vikas Poonia explained that very high temperatures, dry air, and rapid soil moisture loss cause land to dry out significantly faster. A flash drought is identified when drying conditions persist for at least 24 days, meeting specific scientific criteria.
The study found that flash droughts occurred more frequently during the non-monsoon season. Hotspots were identified in sub-humid regions like Gadchiroli and Chandrapur, and more severe, intensifying events were noted in semi-arid interior districts such as Ahilyanagar, Beed, Dharashiv, Sangli, and Solapur.
Researchers recommend integrating soil moisture and atmospheric dryness into drought monitoring systems, moving beyond a sole reliance on rainfall. This approach could enhance early warning systems and strengthen climate-resilient agriculture and water management throughout Maharashtra.
