Answer: India's drought-prone area has increased by 57 per cent since 1997. Drought has affected nearly two-thirds of the country from 2020 to 2022. Over the last decade, one-third of India's districts have experienced more than four droughts, and drought affects 50 million people each year.  

Droughts in India are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change, resulting in lower crop yields, water scarcity, and a rise in water-related illnesses. 

Impact of climate change on the frequency and intensity of droughts in India: 

• Temperature rise: Warmer temperatures increase the rate of evaporation, reducing the amount of water available for crops, leading to more frequent and severe droughts. 
• For example, the 2019 drought in India was the worst in the last 45 years, and it was attributed to higher temperatures caused by climate change.  
• Decreased Rainfall: It is causing reduced rainfall in India, making droughts more likely.
• For instance, the 2015-2016 drought was the worst in the last 40 years, and it was caused by an abnormally low amount of rainfall.  
• Melting Glaciers: Climate change is melting glaciers in India, reducing the water supply and increasing the likelihood of droughts. 
• For example, the 2017 drought in India was caused by the melting of Himalayan glaciers, which reduced the water supply to the region.  
• Unpredictable Weather Patterns: Climate change has caused unpredictable weather patterns in India, making it harder to predict when droughts will occur. 
• For instance, the 2018 drought was the most severe in the last 10 years and it was caused by an unexpected shift in weather patterns. 
• Sea Level Rise: Rising sea levels are causing saltwater intrusion in India, leading to water shortages and droughts. 
• For example: the 2019 drought was caused by saltwater intrusion in the coastal regions of India.  

Various steps taken by the government to manage droughts in India: 

• National Watershed Development Project for Rainfed Areas (NWDPRA): This project was launched in the year 2009-10 and it aims to provide sustainable livelihoods to farming communities in drought-prone areas. The project works towards management of watersheds through integrated water management and conservation practices.  
• Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme (AIBP): This programme was launched in the year 1996-97 and it aims to accelerate the implementation of irrigation projects. The programme provides financial assistance to state governments for the completion of already ongoing irrigation projects. 
• Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): This initiative was launched in the year 2015-16 and it aims to provide irrigation to every farm in the country. The scheme works to ensure access to water for irrigation to all farmers through a variety of water resources such as rainwater harvesting, groundwater and surface water.  
• Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY): This scheme was launched in the year 2016-17 and it aims to provide insurance coverage to farmers against crop losses due to natural calamities such as droughts. The scheme provides financial assistance to farmers in case of crop losses due to drought, flood and other natural disasters. 

To address the issue in the short-term, this includes improving water infrastructure, improving access to clean water, and supporting farmers through the development of drought-resistant crops. In the long-term, measures must be taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit the severity of future droughts. And also, involvement of local communities is needed to tackle the issue.