Moving from crisis management to risk assessment for drought planning using Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and Standardized Groundwater Level Index (SWI): Case study of Marathwada, India
This study focuses on the drought conditions in India, since water problems are worsening in most parts of India especially in the Marathwada region of Maharashtra. Particularly Latur, a district in Marathwada region, has been confronting severe water shortage due to drying up of a major source of water i.e., Dhanegaon dam. For drought-prone regions, it is critical to understand its climatology and establish an integrated drought management system that incorporates climate, water supply and factors such as precipitation, temperature, soil moisture, groundwater levels, reservoir and lake levels. In the wake of the water crisis in this region, it has emerged that proper water management is necessary. Drought is categorised as meteorological drought, hydrological drought and agricultural drought. The occurrence of meteorological and hydrological drought is influenced by temperatures and rainfall characteristics. Agricultural drought is affected due to intensity, duration and distribution of rainy days during crop growing seasons.
