Why is drought looming over Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand?

In Context

• In recent days, Jharkhand and Uttar Pradesh are experiencing the worst monsoon season of the century.

More about the news

• Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand have never experienced such poor monsoon rainfall in the last 122 years. 
• Jharkhand:
  • Between June and August, the rainfall recorded over Jharkhand was 371.9mm against a normal of 627.6mm, a 41 percent seasonal deficit. 
  • This is the lowest ever rainfall recorded over Jharkhand (June to August) since 1901, according to the IMD’s rainfall. 
  • Only twice before in the last 122 years has Jharkhand experienced such poor rainfall.
• Uttar Pradesh:
  • For Uttar Pradesh, too, the picture is grim, as the state has recorded only 251.7mm of the seasonal average of 449.1mm (June to August). 
• UP is the most rain deficient Indian state this year and has remained so since the start of the monsoon season, like Jharkhand.

Causes of the drought:

• Low pressure systems in the Bay of Bengal:
  • This season, only three low pressure systems developed in the Bay of Bengal, mostly off the coast of Odisha. 
  • None of these systems impacted Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh or Bihar. 
  • Thus, one of the two rain-bearing causes remained out of favour for these states.
• The monsoon trough:
  • In addition, this year, the monsoon trough –
    • An east-west low-pressure area extending from the heat low over Pakistan to head Bay of Bengal.
  • remained to the south of its normal position for majority of the days in July and in August, so far.
  • How does it affect?
    • The monsoon trough’s location, oscillation, and duration over a specific location, all directly affect the rainfall activity over the regions exactly to the south of its position.
    • That is, when it is located to the south of its normal position, there is active or vigorous rainfall over most parts of central, peninsular India regions. 
    • When it shifts to the north of its normal position or lays along the Himalayan foothills, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, West Bengal and the northeastern states benefit.
• Such unfavorable conditions contributed to high rainfall deficits throughout the season.

Way Ahead

• Food and water scarcity are going to be the real issues in the country’s major rice producing states, with a potential to affect India’s kharif produce this year.
• In UP, the Agriculture Meteorology division has advised carrying out the transplantation of rice and suggested the use of short-duration rice varieties. 
  • Experts have encouraged the cultivation of red gram.
  • Farmers are also recommended to opt for inter-cropping.
• For farmers in Jharkhand, the Agri met has suggested adopting measures to conserve moisture in the soil. 
  • No sowing is advised until there is 50 to 60mm rainfall and sufficient moisture for at least three consecutive days. 
  • Short duration rice, millet, maize, and arhar must be considered for cultivation during the rest of the season.

Source: IE