Characteristics of Large-Scale and Localized Droughts in the Gangetic Plains

Abstract

<p><span class="TextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0" lang="EN-GB" xml:lang="EN-GB" data-contrast="none"><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">The groundwater depletion </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">o</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">ver the past two decades</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0"> in the</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0"> Indo-Gangetic Plains ha</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">s</span> <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">been extensively </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">documented. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">On a smaller scale, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">he Bundelkhand sub-region</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0"> (</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">rectangular box in the Figure</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">)</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0"> has been experiencing an extended period of meteorological drought. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">In this region, as with </span><span class="NormalTextRun AdvancedProofingIssueV2Themed SCXW169904913 BCX0">a majority of</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0"> the Gangetic Plains, the contribution of local evaporation is comparable to the moisture brought in from afar.  </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">It is unclear whether the below-normal rainfall in this region is due to low-frequency climate variability or a result of a "negative" feedback loop in the regional hydrologic cycle where less rain leads to less soil wetness, which in turn leads to lower evaporation and less moisture available for rain. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">An analysis of th</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">is</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0"> region's daily rainfall records from the past century shows that while most droughts in and around Bundelkhand coincide with larger-scale Indian monsoon droughts</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0"> (Type-1 in the Figure)</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">, some appear to be localized</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0"> (Type-2 in the Figure)</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">. In addition, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">our</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0"> analysis </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">shows</span> <span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">that </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">while </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">north central India typically experiences a rainfall deficit in early July, </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">western India often sees more than normal rainfall. </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">We present our </span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">assessment of t</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">he causes of these droughts, including the role of local hydrology and potential large-scale drivers</span><span class="NormalTextRun SCXW169904913 BCX0">.</span></span><span class="EOP SCXW169904913 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"> </span></p> <p><span class="EOP SCXW169904913 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"><img src="" alt="" /></span></p> <p><span class="EOP SCXW169904913 BCX0" data-ccp-props="{"><img src="" alt="" /></span></p>