Droughts and Floods in India: Causes and Management
July 19, 2026
TOPIC CLASSIFICATION
Subject: Physical Geography & Disaster Management
Sub-area: Hydro-Meteorological Disasters — Droughts & Floods
Difficulty: Medium
Weightage: High (2 Prelims + Mains on disaster management)
EXAMINER REASONING
Trap: Thinking droughts and floods are purely natural phenomena — human factors (deforestation, drainage congestion, groundwater extraction) significantly worsen both.
Most confused: Meteorological drought (deficient rainfall) vs Hydrological drought (depleted water bodies) vs Agricultural drought (crop damage).
Key anchor: Indian monsoon — erratic rainfall distribution (temporal and spatial) is the core cause of both droughts and floods.
Current affairs hook: Kerala floods (2018, 2024); Bihar floods (annual); Chennai water crisis (2019); Marathwada droughts; Himachal floods 2023; Glacier burst Uttarakhand 2021.
Mains hinge: "India experiences drought and flood in the same year, often in adjoining districts. Critically examine the causes and suggest an integrated management approach."
Kosi River: "Sorrow of Bihar" — shifts course frequently; 2008 flood worst in 50 years
Brahmaputra: Carries largest sediment load in India → drainage congestion → annual Assam floods
Drought Prone Area Programme (DPAP): Started 1973–74 — 972 blocks
Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): "Per Drop More Crop" — 2015
National Water Mission (NWM): Increase water use efficiency by 20%
Flood Forecasting: Central Water Commission — 330+ stations — 75% accurate
Kerala floods 2018: Worst in century — 400+ dead — 33 dams opened
Jal Shakti Abhiyan (2019): Catch the Rain — water conservation campaign
PYQ Analysis
Year
Type
Question
Subject
2024
Prelims
Kosi is known as "Sorrow of Bihar"
Geography
2023
Mains
"Urban flooding has become a recurring disaster in India." Analyse causes and solutions
GS1/GS3
2022
Prelims
Meteorological drought — definition
Geography
2021
Prelims
Brahmaputra — highest sediment load
Geography
2020
Mains
"Droughts in India have shifted from natural to human-induced." Discuss
GS1
2019
Prelims
Jal Shakti Abhiyan — launched 2019
Geography
2018
Prelims
Flood forecasting — who does it? (CWC)
Geography
2017
Mains
"Integrated watershed management is the key to drought mitigation." Elaborate
GS3
Statement Elimination Guide
"Floods in India are caused only by excessive rainfall." → FALSE. Also caused by glacial lake outburst, cyclone storm surge, dam release, anthropogenic drainage congestion.
"Drought-prone areas get less than 750 mm rainfall annually." → PARTIALLY TRUE — but some areas with 1000mm also face drought due to high variability.
"Kosi river is called the 'Sorrow of Bihar'." → TRUE. Due to frequent course changes and floods.
"The Central Water Commission is responsible for drought declaration." → FALSE. Drought is declared by state governments based on IMD/CWC data.
Current Affairs Hook
Himachal Floods 2023: Devastating floods followed by drought — climate variability extremes.
Kerala 2018 vs 2024: 2018 worst floods; 2024 saw heavy rain but better preparedness.
Marathwada Water Crisis: Tanker-dependent villages — delayed monsoon 2024.
Groundwater Depletion: 63% of districts face rapid groundwater decline (CGWB 2024 report).
Climate Change Impact: IPCC AR6 — India will see more intense floods and longer droughts.
Interlinkages
Monsoon Mechanism: El Niño (drought) vs La Niña (flood) — ENSO teleconnection
Agriculture: Floods destroy crops (kharif); drought affects both kharif and rabi