Why this matters now
Droughts and heatwaves are growing in frequency with climate change and are examined for their types, management and the Heat Action Plan model. They link to agriculture, water and climate.
Types of drought
Drought is classified as: meteorological (deficient rainfall), hydrological (low water in reservoirs/rivers/groundwater), agricultural (soil-moisture shortage harming crops) and socio-economic (when shortages affect people’s lives and the economy). India monitors and declares drought using rainfall, crop and other indices.
Drought management
Measures span water management (rainwater harvesting, watershed development, micro-irrigation, reservoir operation), crop strategies (drought-resistant varieties, crop diversification, insurance), livelihood support (MGNREGA, fodder, relief), and long-term resilience (groundwater recharge, drought-proofing programmes).
Heatwave management
Heatwaves — prolonged spells of extreme heat — cause heat-stroke deaths, especially among the poor and outdoor workers. They are managed through Heat Action Plans (HAPs): early warning, public advisories, cooling shelters, rescheduling work hours, water provision and hospital readiness. The Ahmedabad Heat Action Plan (South Asia’s first) is a recognised model.
The climate-change link
Climate change is making droughts and heatwaves more frequent, intense and widespread, so management must integrate climate adaptation — water security, resilient agriculture, urban cooling and early-warning systems — into development planning.
UPSC angle
Know the four drought types (meteorological/hydrological/agricultural/socio-economic), drought-management tools (watershed, micro-irrigation, MGNREGA), and Heat Action Plans (Ahmedabad model). Note the climate link.
Frequently asked questions
What are the types of drought?
Meteorological (rainfall deficit), hydrological (low water storage), agricultural (soil-moisture shortage) and socio-economic drought.
How is drought managed in India?
Through water management (harvesting, watershed, micro-irrigation), drought-resistant crops and insurance, livelihood support (MGNREGA) and long-term resilience measures.
What is a Heat Action Plan?
A preparedness plan with early warning, advisories, cooling shelters, work-hour changes and hospital readiness to reduce heatwave deaths; Ahmedabad pioneered it in South Asia.
How does climate change affect droughts and heatwaves?
It makes them more frequent, intense and widespread, requiring climate adaptation to be built into management.