Question

Describe briefly the main causes of droughts in India.

Discuss the causes of droughts in India.

Answer 1

1. Failure or Delay of Monsoon: If the southwest monsoon arrives late or brings less rain, it causes drought.
2. Breaks in Monsoon: Sometimes, the monsoon stops for long periods. This leads to dry spells and drought.
3. Shifting of Monsoon Trough: When the low-pressure zone shifts too far north or too far south, it misses parts of India, causing droughts in those areas.
4. Western Disturbances or Cyclones Missing India: If the western disturbances or Bay of Bengal cyclones do not bring rain, northern and eastern regions may face drought.
5. Rain-shadow Effect: Areas like Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Maharashtra are affected by the rain-shadow effect. The Western Ghats block moisture from the southwest monsoon, leaving these regions with little rainfall.