“Heat is emerging as a new driver of drought in India’s changing climate regime.” Explain the mechanisms through which rising temperatures intensify drought conditions. Examine its implications for agricultural planning.
Kartavya Desk Staff
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Topic: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Q6. “Heat is emerging as a new driver of drought in India’s changing climate regime.” Explain the mechanisms through which rising temperatures intensify drought conditions. Examine its implications for agricultural planning. (10 M)
Difficulty Level: Medium
Reference: DTE
Why the question The increasing occurrence of heat waves and compound drought events in India highlights how rising temperatures are emerging as a significant driver of drought, raising concerns for water security and agricultural sustainability. Key Demand of the question The question requires explaining the mechanisms through which rising temperatures intensify drought conditions in the changing climate regime. It also requires examining the implications of such heat-driven droughts for agricultural planning and adaptation strategies. Structure of the Answer Introduction Briefly introduce how climate change is altering drought dynamics, with rising temperatures increasing evaporative demand and creating new forms of heat-driven or “hot” droughts. Body Mechanisms of heat-driven drought: Explain how higher temperatures enhance evapotranspiration and soil moisture depletion, intensifying drought conditions even without large rainfall deficits. Implications for agricultural planning: Discuss the need for climate-resilient crops, revised cropping calendars, and water-efficient irrigation systems in response to increasing heat-induced drought risks. Conclusion Highlight the need for climate-smart agriculture and improved drought early warning systems to manage emerging heat-driven drought risks in India.
Why the question
The increasing occurrence of heat waves and compound drought events in India highlights how rising temperatures are emerging as a significant driver of drought, raising concerns for water security and agricultural sustainability.
Key Demand of the question
The question requires explaining the mechanisms through which rising temperatures intensify drought conditions in the changing climate regime. It also requires examining the implications of such heat-driven droughts for agricultural planning and adaptation strategies.
Structure of the Answer
Introduction Briefly introduce how climate change is altering drought dynamics, with rising temperatures increasing evaporative demand and creating new forms of heat-driven or “hot” droughts.
• Mechanisms of heat-driven drought: Explain how higher temperatures enhance evapotranspiration and soil moisture depletion, intensifying drought conditions even without large rainfall deficits.
• Implications for agricultural planning: Discuss the need for climate-resilient crops, revised cropping calendars, and water-efficient irrigation systems in response to increasing heat-induced drought risks.
Conclusion Highlight the need for climate-smart agriculture and improved drought early warning systems to manage emerging heat-driven drought risks in India.