Drought (Famine)

A famine occurs due to a prolonged shortage of food and water, impacting crops, food supplies, and overall survival. It leads to severe hardship for people, animals, and plants.

It occurs due to:

1. Lack of Rain: When it doesn't rain for a long time, water in rivers, lakes, wells, and dams starts to dry up. The land also becomes very dry because water evaporates.
2. No Water for Agriculture: Without enough water, crops cannot grow. This leads to a shortage of food for people and animals. The land becomes too dry to plant anything.
3. Effects of a Famine: People and animals suffer because there is not enough water or food. Grain and fodder (food for animals) become scarce, which means there isn’t enough for everyone. You may have heard of famines happening in different parts of the world, including our country or state.
4. Government Help: During a famine, the government helps by moving people and animals to safe places where they can get food, water, and shelter. Fodder camps are set up to feed animals and take care of them during the famine.

1. Natural Causes

• Drought (main cause)
• Floods and heavy rains
• Storms, cold waves, or fog
• Pest attacks (like locusts) or crop diseases
• Crops destroyed by animals (mice or rats)
• Earthquakes and other natural disasters

2. Human Causes

• War and internal conflict
• Lack of transport routes
• Misuse of water and soil erosion
• Unbalanced rainfall and population growth
• Overuse of water and deforestation
• Chemical fertilizers and pesticides

• Conserve and Reuse Water
• Water Harvesting and Storage
• Plant More Trees
• Prevent Deforestation
• Weather-Based Planning

Historical examples,

1. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj made water storage schemes to fight famines.
2. Malik Ambar built a canal system in Aurangabad, which still provides water today.
3. Severe famines have affected India, China, and Asia the most, especially in regions with droughts and floods.