Western Rajasthan experiences extreme drought due to its
- Arid climate : high temperatures and low humidity, resulting in high evaporation rates and minimal moisture retention in the soil.
- Low rainfall : 0-25 cm annually
- The presence of the Aravalli Range obstructs moisture-laden winds from reaching the region.
- Extension of Aravallis is parallel to Arabian Sea branch of monsoon which escapes northwards without providing much rain in the state.
- Moisture is considerably reduced in the Bay of Bengal branch of monsoon by the time it reaches Rajasthan.
- Its distance from the sea limits access to moisture, increasing acidity.
- Sparse vegetation further reduces moisture retention, contributing to drought conditions.
- Human Activities: like deforestation have contributed to the degradation of land , worsening drought conditions.
El nino is a warm ocean current formed in the eastern Pacific Ocean every 2 to 5 years, which comes and gets established in place of the cold Peru Current / Humboldt Current.
Impact on rainfall in Rajasthan.
- Monsoon Weakening: El nino causes weakening of the southwest monsoon winds, reducing their moisture-carrying capacity over Rajasthan.
- Rainfall Deficiency: Causes major rainfall shortfall, especially in eastern and northern Rajasthan. The 2015–16 El nino led to severe deficits, worsening farm and water crises.
- Frequent Droughts: Being arid/semi-arid, Rajasthan is highly vulnerable. Since 1950, 7 out of 16 El nino years have seen below-normal monsoon in Rajasthan.
- Agricultural Stress: Crops like bajra, pulses, and mustard, which dominate Rajasthan’s kharif season, are highly dependent on monsoon rainfall.El nino-related rainfall deficits cause low crop yields, food inflation, and distress for lakhs of farmers.
- Water Scarcity: Reduced rainfall affects groundwater recharge, reservoirs, and availability of drinking water in desert and semi-desert regions.After 2015–16, 60% of wells in Rajasthan showed falling water levels.
- Heatwave Intensification: El nino years often bring prolonged heat waves, increasing evapotranspiration and worsening water scarcity.
- Ecosystem Disruption: El nino-related droughts dry up wetlands, reduce vegetation, and impact biodiversity in arid regions.
