Review and analysis of drought monitoring, declaration and management in India
Working paper 84, drought series, paper 2
The drought in 2002, one of the severest in the 130-year history of India, affected 56% of the geographical area, and the livelihoods of 300 million people in 18 states. About 150 million cattle were affected and the federal government allocated a financial relief of IRs.200 billion (US$4.4 billion). The IT-enabled process of drought monitoring and declaration is, therefore, important to enhance preparedness, quick response, relief, recovery, and mitigation and management systems. Besides analyzing the procedures and impacts of drought monitoring and management in India, this paper also presents some lessons for neighbouring countries.