Climate, rainfall and drought: a study of Andhra Pradesh

Indian agriculture has, for centuries, been solely dependent on the weather and the vagaries of the monsoon in particular. Uncertainties of weather and climate pose a major threat to food security of the country. Extreme weather events like heavy rains, cyclone, hail storm, dry spells, drought, heat wave, cold wave and frost causes considerable loss in crop production every year. Drought is a complex natural hazard. It is defined as any deficiency of water to satisfy the normal need to agriculture, livestock, industry, or human population. Drought Assessment and monitoring is essential for the agricultural sector to take appropriate mitigation measures. The present study attempts to study on climate, rainfall and drought status in Andhra Pradesh. The state spread over with two distinct geographical regions, Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra. Andhra Pradesh is an important State in Nation’s Food Production. With about 49.38 Million Population, who lives in rural areas mostly, agriculture is the main stay of their livelihood. 50.6 per cent of State’s Main workforce is engaged in Agriculture and allied Sectors accounts for 27.30 % of Gross State domestic product (GSDP) at current price. But in recent years, drought and other natural calamities have adversely affected the State’s economy and its people. Agriculture continues to be monsoon dependant, primarily on South West Monsoon (SWM) through which State receives 2/3 of its rainfall. The State with 5 chronically drought prone districts (viz., Anantapur, Kadapa, Chittoor, Kurnool, and Prakasam) out of 13 districts.