Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 2.
Districts under different categories of rainfall: 2000.
Category
Name of districts
Its number
1. Abnormal rainfall (60% or more
than normal rainfall)
None
Nil
2. Excess rainfall (20%-60% more
than normal rainfall)
Nagaur
1
3. Normal rainfall (
−
20% to +20% of
normal rainfall)
Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jalore,
Dausa, Baran, Bundi, Karauli,
Kota
8
4. Deficit rainfall (
−
60% to 20% less
than normal rainfall)
Bikaner, Churu, Ganganagar,
Hanumangarh, Jodhpur, Pali,
Sirohi, Ajmer, Bhilwara,
Tonk, Alwar, Bharatpur,
Dholpur, Jaipur, Jhunjhunu,
Jhalawar, Sawai Madhopur,
Banaswara, Chittorgarh,
Dungarpur, Udaipur
21
5. Scanty rainfall (
−
60% or less than
normal rainfall)
Sikar, Rajasamand
2
Source
:Ref.4.
The Kharif crops were adversely affected by drought during last three
years (1997-1999) in general, and during last two years in particular.
Although the rainy season crops were sown in large areas, the crops failed
in most of the sown area during 1998 and 1999. The effect of drought was
more pronounced on fodder availability and the increase in price of fodder
was more pronounced (2-3-fold).
In normal years, most farmers in the region prefer to take rainfed crops
during kharif season and irrigated crops during rabi season. This practice is
followed because of the fact that the groundwater is mostly saline. Taking
rainfed crops during rainy season helps in reduction of salt load in soil
profile due to leaching with good quality rainwater. But acute shortage of
fodder, and to some extent food also, forced them to take irrigated kharif
crops, particularly the pearl millet.
The effect of drought on livestock was mostly due to drastic scarcity of
water, fodder and feed. Roughage stock of farmers was almost exhausted
during 1998. Most of the cattle were let loose on their own, leading to their
mortality in some cases. The mortality rate was high in cattle and sheep.
The possible causes for livestock mortality during drought were: malnutri-
tion and debilitated weak conditions, negative protein balance caused by
wheat straw, intake of highly saline/contaminated water, and incidence of
various diseases. Livestock migration is a predominant characteristic of arid
